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DATE  DUE 

UNIVERSITY    LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 

AT 

AMHERST 


S 

73 

B32 

1827-32 


THE 


Massachusetts   Agricultural 


ilEPOSlTORY  and  JOURNAL. 


NUM3ER   I VOL,   X. 


CONTENTS. 


Jnutes  towards  a  History  of  some 
{Araerican  Species  of  Melolontha 
Iparticularly  injurious  to  Vegeta- 

ttion 

)n  the  Culture  of  Lucerne  :  trans- 
slated    and    abridged    from   the 
^Course  of  Agriculture   of  the 
Abbe  Rozier       .        .         .         . 
jEitracts  from  u  Treatise  on  Horti- 


I    culture.    By  Joseph  Hayward, 

Gent. :   London,  1818         .  ,     31 

'Register  of  the  Seasons        .  .44 

1  On  Grasses  and  other  Plants  .    49 

On  Rail  Roads       .         .         ,  .51 

I  The  Disease  in  Pear  Trees    .  .    79 

I  Orchard  Grass       .        ,        .  .    81 

13 1  Potatoes         .        .        ,        ,  ,83 

llAnnual  Cattle  Show      .        ,  .85 


BOSTON: 

PtrP.tlSHED   BV  WELLS   AND   LILLY,    COURT-STREET, 

?0E    THE    TRUSTEES   OF  THE    MASSACHUSETTS     SOCIETY   FOR  PRO- 
MOTING   AGRICULTURE. 

Price  50  Cents, 


\ 


MASSACHUSETTS 
AGRICULTURAL  JOURNAL. 

Vol.  X.]  JULY,  1827.  [No.  1. 

[The  following  essay  upon  the  natural  history  of  the  Rose  Bug,  was  prepared 
by  Dr.  T.  W.  Harris  of  Milton,  with  a  view  to  the  premium  offered  by  the 
Massachusetts  Society,  for  promoting  agriculture,  for  the  best  essay  on  this 
subject ;  but  the  professional  avocations  of  the  amiable  and  learned  writer 
having  prevented  the  completion  of  it  within  the  period  fixed  by  the  Trustees, 
he  had  resolved  to  suppress  it.  The  p. ogress  which  he  had  made,  having 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  President  of  that  Society,  he  urged  Dr.  Harris 
to  lay  it  before  the  Trustees  in  its  present  state,  and  they  were  pleased  to 
award  the  Society's  premium  to  the  author.  We  think  the  readers  of  this 
journal  will  feel  obliged  to  us  for  inserting  it.] 

MINUTES  TOWARDS  A  HISTORY  OF  SOME  AMERICAN  SPECIES 
OF  MELOLONTHiE  PARTICULARLY  INJURIOUS  TO  VEGETA- 
TION. 

Nempe  Melolontha  dicitur,  quia  pomorum  est  pernicies. 

BOCHART. 

The  Linnean  genus  ScARABiEus  is  very  abundant  in  species, 
and  exceedingly  numerous  in  individuals  of  some  species. 
These  insects  are  easily  recognized  by  their  moveable 
horns,  or  antenna^  projecting  above  the  mouth,  and  termi- 
nated by  several  lamellated,  or  leaf-like  joints,  whence  they 
have  received  the  name  of  Lamellicorn  beetles.  This 
genus  contains  insects  differing  much  in  external  appear- 
ance, and  in  their  modes  of  life,  and  has  therefore  been 
subdivided  into  several  smaller  genera  by  the  Entomolo- 
gists who  have  succeeded  Linne.  De  Geer  distinguished 
three  families,  according  to  their  habits,  which  he  called 
Scarahes  de  ierre^  (Earth-beetles,)  Scarabes  des  arbres,  (Tree- 
beetles,)  and  Scarabes  des  Jieurs,  (Flower-beetles.)  Those 
Vol.  X.  1 


^  OCfZ^l 


2  AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF    MELOLONTHA. 

of  the  second  family  are  most  interesting  to  the  agricultural- 
ist, because  of  their  extensive  ravages.  They  are  included 
by  Fabricius  in  his  genus  Melolontha,  a  word  used  by  the 
Greeks  to  distinguish  these  same  insects,  and  which  signi- 
fied, according  to  Eustathius,  that  they  were  produced  from 
or  with  the  flowers  of  apple-trees.*  The  Melolontha;  are 
called  in  England  dorrs  or  chaffers. 

The  genus  Melolontha  may  be  characterized  as  having 
the  body  oblong,  oval,  and  convex;  the  mouth  covered  above 
by  a  thin  plate,  called  clypeus,  beneath  which  are  situated 
the  antenncB,  consisting  generally  of  ten  joints,  the  terminal 
ones  united  by  one  end  to  a  common  centre,  and  expanding 
like  the  leaves  of  a  book:  the  thorax  (situated  behind  the 
head)  convex,  more  or  less  quadrate  or  trapezoidal ;  imme- 
diately behind  this,  and  between  the  wing-cases,  a  small 
triangular  piece  called  scuiellum ;  wing-cases  or  elytra  con- 
vex above,  not  embracing  the  sides  of  the  body,  and  leaving 
the  posterior  extremity  exposed :  legs  of  moderate  length ; 
the  middle  part  or  tibice  of  the  anterior  ones  armed  with  two 
or  three  lateral  teeth ;  and  each  foot,  or  tarsus,  consisting 
of  five  small  joints,  and  terminated  by  two  strong  claws  or 
nails. 

The  general  habits  and  metamorphoses  of  these  insects 
are  invariable  ;  a  description  of  those  of  the  common  cock- 
chaffer  of  Europe,  (Melolontha  vulgaris,  F.)  will  serve  to 
elucidate  those  of  the  whole  genus.  These  are  detailed  by 
Latreille,  (in  the  tenth  volume  of  his  Histoire  Naturelle, 
embodied  in  Sonnini's  Buffon,)  and  by  Olivier,  in  the  first 
volume  of  his  Entomology. 

*  (K  TDc  Tail  fjixKioiY  nvQurim;.  Dunieril  derives  the  word  from  fjuiKov,  an  or- 
chard, and  uv9of,  dung.  The  French  name  is  hannelon,  probably  a  corruption 
ofaliton,  from  ala  and  iono ;  to  make  a  loud  noise  with  the  wings.  By  several 
critics  the  Jeleh  of  the  Hebrews,  translated  canker-u-orm,  was  considered  as 
some  insect  of  this  genus.  The  words  of  Nahum,  III,  17,  appear  particularly 
characteristic  of  the  manners  of  the  nocturnal  species  ;  "  which  camp  in  the 
hedges  in  the  cold  day,  but  when  the  sun  ariscth  they  flee  away,  and  their 
place  is  not  known  where  they  are." 


AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF    MELOLONTHA.  3 

This  insect  devours  the  leaves  of  trees  and  shrubs.  Its 
duration  in  the  perfect  state  is  very  short,  each  individual 
living  only  about  a  week,  and  the  species  entirely  disap- 
pearing in  the  course  of  a  month.  After  the  sexual  union 
has  taken  place  the  males  perish,  and  the  females  enter  the 
earth,  to  the  depth  of  six  inches,  or  more,  making  their  way 
by  means  of  the  strong  teeth  which  arm  their  anterior  tibiae  • 
here  they  deposit  their  eggs,  amounting  to  nearly  one  hun- 
dred in  number,  from  every  female,  which  are  soon  after 
abandoned,  and  the  females  ascend  to  the  surface,  and,  after 
languishing  a  few  days,  perish  also. 

From  the  eggs  are  hatched,  by  the  warmth  of  the  earth, 
little  whitish  grubs,  called,  in  France,  vers  hlancs^  each  pro- 
vided with  six  legs,  situated  near  the  head,  and  the  mouth 
furnished  with  two  strong  jaws.  They  live  on  the  roots  of 
plants  and  other  vegetable  substances  found  in  the  ground  ; 
gradually  increase  in  size,  and  change  their  skins  once  a 
year,  about  the  commencement  of  spring,  after  which  they 
approach  nearer  the  surface  in  search  of  food ;  for  during 
the  winter  they  do  not  eat,  but,  having  penetrated  below  the 
reach  of  frost,  remain  torpid  until  the  succeeding  spring. 
At  the  close  of  their  third  summer  they  cease  eating,  and 
penetrate  about  two  feet  deep  into  the  earth :  there  by  its 
motions  from  side  to  side  the  grub  forms  an  oval  cavity, 
which  is  lined  by  its  excrements,  and  some  glutinous  fibres, 
in  which  it  is  changed  to  a  pupa  by  casting  its  last  larva 
skin.  In  this  state  the  legs,  antennae,  and  wing-cases  are 
visible  through  the  transparent  skin  which  envelopes  them, 
but  appear  of  a  yellowish  white  colour  ;  and  thus  it  remains 
until  the  approach  of  the  ensuing  spring,  when  the  thin 
film  which  encloses  its  body  and  limbs  is  rent,  and  the  per- 
fect insect  digs  its  way  to  the  surface  of  the  ground,  where 
the  superabundant  moisture  with  which  it  is  imbued,  is  ex- 
haled, and  it  expands  its  wings  and  takes  flight. 

According  to  Kirby  and  Spence  the  grub  of  the  cock- 
chaffer  sometimes  destroys  whole  acres  of  grass,  by  feed- 


4  AMERICAN   SPECIES    OF   MOLOLONTHA. 

ing  on  its  roots.  It  undermines  the  richest  meadows,  and 
so  loosens  the  turf  that  it  will  roll  up  as  if  cut  hy  a  turfing 
spade.  About  seventy  years  ago,  a  farmer  near  Norwich 
in  England,  suflfered  much  by  them,  and,  with  his  men, 
gathered  eighty  bushels  of  the  beetle.  In  the  year  1785 
many  provinces  in  France  were  so  ravaged  by  them,  that  a 
premium  was  offered  by  government  for  the  best  Aode  of 
destroying  them.  They  do  not  confine  themselves  to  grass, 
but  eat  also  the  roots  of  wheat  and  other  grains. 

In  their  perfect  state  these,  Avith  several  other  species, 
act  as  conspicuous  a  part  in  injuring  the  trees  as  their  grubs 
do  in  destroying  the  herbage.  Besides  the  leaves  of  fruit- 
trees  they  devour  those  of  the  sycamore,  the  lime,  the 
beech,  and  the  elm.  MoufFet  relates  that,  in  the  year  1574, 
such  a  number  of  them  fell  into  the  river  Severn,  as  to  stop 
the  wheels  of  the  water-mills;  and,  in  the  Philosophical 
Transactions  it  is  stated  that,  in  the  year  1688,  they  filled 
the  hedges  and  trees  of  Galway  in  such  infinite  numbers,  as 
to  cling  to  each  other  like  bees  when  they  swarm  ;  and 
when  on  the  wing  darkened  the  air,  annoyed  travellers,  and 
produced  a  sound  like  distant  drums.  In  a  short  time  the 
leaves  of  all  the  trees  for  some  miles  round  were  so  totally 
consumed  by  them,  that  at  midsummer,  the  country  wore 
the  aspect  of  the  depth  of  winter. 

Another  chaffer  (Melolontha  vitis,  F.)  is  sometimes  ex- 
ceedingly injurious  to  the  vine.  It  prevails  in  certain  pro- 
vinces of  France,  where  it  strips  the  vines  of  their  leaves, 
and  also  devours  those  of  the  willow,  poplar,  and  fruit- 
trees. 

The  animals  and  birds,  appointed  to  check  the  ravages 
of  these  insects,  are,  according  to  Latreilie,  the  common 
dung-hill  fowls,  different  species  of  owl,  the  European  goat- 
sucker or  night  hawk,  (Caprimulgus  Europaus,)  bats,  rats, 
the  weasel,  (Mustela  vulgari^,)  the  martin,  (Mustela /oma,) 
and  the  badger,  (Ursus  meles.)  To  this  list  may  be  added 
the  common  crow,  which  devours  not  only  the  perfect  in- 


AMERICAN   SPECIES    OF   MELOLONTHA.  5 

sect  but  their  larvae,  for  which  purpose  it  is  often  observed 
to  follow  the  plough.  Our  own  country  abounds  in  insec- 
tivorous beasts  and  birds,  and,  without  doubt,  the  more 
than  abundant  Melolonth^  form  a  portion  of  their  nou- 
rishment. 

We  have  several  allied  species  of  Melolontha,  whose 
injuries  in  the  perfect  and  grub  state  approach  to  those  of 
the  European  cock-chaffer.  The  most  common  one  is  the 
M.  quercina  of  Knoch  ;  (in  Melsheimer's  catalogue  ;)  it  is  not 
described  by  any  author  to  which  I  have  had  access.  It 
is  of  a  dark  chestnut-brown  colour,  glabrous,  punctate ; 
the  breast  pubescent ;  and  each  elytron  with  three  elevated 
lines:  length  eight  'enths,  breadth  nine  twentieths  of  an 
inch.  This  insect  agrees  very  well  with  the  figure  and 
description  of  M.  Fervida  of  Olivier;  but,  on  the  authority 
of  Mr.  Say,  it  is  considered  as  the  species  described  by 
Knoch  (in  his  Neuv.  Beitrage  zur  Insectenkunde)  by  the 
name  of  quercina.  In  its  perfect  state  it  feeds  on  the  leaves 
of  trees,  particularly  of  the  cherry-tree.  It  flies  with  a 
humming  noise  in  the  night,  from  the  middle  of  May  till  the 
end  of  June,  and  frequently  enters  houses,  attracted  by  the 
light.  The  grubs  devour  the  roots  of  grass  and  other  ve- 
getables :  in  many  places  the  turf  may  be  turned  up  like  a 
carpet,  in-  consequence  of  the  destruction  of  the  roots. 
The  grub  is  a  white  worm,  with  a  brownish  head,  and 
when  fully  grown  nearly  as  thick  as  the  little  finger.*  It 
is  eaten  with  avidity  by  crows  and  fowls.  The  perfect 
insect  is  devoured  by  some  insectivorous  animal,  which 
frequents  our  gardens  for  that  purpose,  and  whose  benefi- 
cial foraging  is  detected  by  its  abundant  excrement,  filled 
with  the  wing-cases  of  the  Melolontha, 

M.  halia,  (Say,)  a  smaller  species  than  the  quercina,  may, 

•  There  is  a  gvub,  somewhat  resembling  this,  which  is  frequently  found 
beneath  manure-heaps,  and  is  commonly  called  TOWcfc-worm;  it  differs,  how- 
ever, in  some  respects,  from  that  of  the  melolontha,  and  produces  an  insect 
generically  distinct,  which  is  described  as  the  Scarabceus  reliclus,  by  Mr.  Say. 


6  AMERICAN    SPECIES  OF    MELOLONTHA. 

according  to  Mr.  Melsheimer,  "  be  found  in  its  proper  sea- 
son in  vast  numbers  under  the  deciduous  leaves  of  forests  : 
during  the  night  the  millions  of  wings  that  fan  the  air  pro- 
duce a  loud  humming  sound,  not  unlike  that  emitted  by  the 
enraged  occupants  of  a  humble-bees'  nest."  This  species, 
with  another,  M.  hirsuta,  (Knoch,)  are  found  in  Massachu- 
setts, but  not  in  such  quantities  as  the  quercina.  The  balia 
is  of  a  light  chestnut-brown  ;  head  and  thorax  blackish 
brown ;  the  former  and  the  breast  beneath  hairy.  It  is 
rather  more  than  thirteen  twentieths  of  an  inch  long.  M. 
hirsuta  is  dark  chestnut,  and  hairy ;  the  thorax  with  dilated 
punctures,  and  the  wing-cases  with  five  or  six  longitudinal 
series  of  hairs  on  each.    Length  seven  tenths  of  an  inch. 

Several  other  species  are  common  here,  but  their  specific 
names  are  at  present  unknown  to  me.  Of  the  smaller  ones, 
are  some  which  attack  the  wild  rose  and  whortle-berry 
bushes.  These  are  M.  vespertina  and  M.  sericea  of  Knoch, 
and  M.  iricolor  of  Say.  About  the  last  of  June  and  first 
of  July  the  two  first  of  these  species  may  be  found  in  the 
evening  on  the  Rosa  rubiginosa,  in  great  abundance,  and 
generally  paired.  Mr.  Melsheimer  says  that  M.  iricolor 
"  abounds  in  hilly  and  mountainous  situations,  where,  in  the 
month  of  May,  the  time  of  the  sexual  union  of  the  species, 
it  may  be  seen  flying  amongst  the  whortle-berry  bushes  in 
profusion." 

These  species  are  nocturnal  insects,*  never  appearing, 

*  The  genus  MELOiiONTHA,  as  constituted  by  Fabricius,  contains  avast 
number  of  species,  differing  greatly  in  external  appearance,  and  somewhat  in 
modes  of  life.  Fabricius  describes  149  species,  and  Schonherr,  after  separat- 
ing those  which  constitute  the  modern  genera  Anisontx,  Glaphyrus, 
Amphicoma,  Rutela,  and  Hoplia,  enumerates  226  species  of  Melolon- 
THA,  to  which  additions  are  constantly  making  from  the  discovery  of  new 
species.  Hence  the  genus  requires  further  subdivision.  The  bases  of  these 
subgenera  have  been  pointed  out  by  Latreille,  Knoch,  and  Schonherr,  and 
some  have  already  been  established.  I  would  restrict  the  name  of  Melo- 
liONTHA  to  those  species  which  have  more  than  three  lamellae  to  the  club  of  the 
antennae,  like  the  vulgaris  of  Europe,  and  of  which  we  have  an  indigenous 
example  in  the   M.  decemlineataf  of  Say,  (M.  occidentalism  Herbst?)    Our 


AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF   MELOLONTHA.  7 

except  by  accident  in  the  day,  during  which  they  remain 
under  the  sheUer  of  forests,  or  concealed  beneath  the 
leaves  of  shrubs  and  grass.  Others  are  truly  day-fliers, 
committing  their  ravages  by  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  al- 
ways present  to  our  observation. 

One  of  them  appears  about  the  middle  of  May.  It  eats 
the  leaves  of  the  pear-tree,  and  feeds  also  on  those  of  the 
poplar  and  oak.  It  is  a  large  insect,  and  was  described  by 
Linne  as  the  Scarab^us  lanigerus.  The  body  is  of  a  broad 
oval  shape,  and  compressed  or  flattened ;  the  head  and  tho- 
rax yellow,  brohzed  ;  the  wing-cases  pale  yellow,  punctate ; 
the  legs  brownish  yellow  with  shades  of  green ;  the  body 
beneath  green-bronzed,  and  clothed  with  long  yellow  down. 
Length  nearly  one  inch  ;  breadth  rather  over  half  an  inch. 
It  is  not  constant  in  its  appearance ;  in  some  seasons  being 
found  in  great  profusion,  when,  by  shaking  the  young  pear- 
trees,  any  number  of  them  may  be  obtained. 

Another  large  species  attacks  the  grape-vine.  It  is  the 
ScARAB^us  punctatus  of  Linne.  The  wing-cases  are  testa- 
ceous or  brownish-yellow,  with  three  distant  black  spots 
on  each:  the  thorax  darker,  slightly  bronzed,  with  a  black 
spot  each  side ;  the  head  green-bronzed  round  the  eyes ; 
the  body  beneath  and  the  legs  deep  green,  bronzed. 
Length  one  inch,  breadth  over  half  an  inch. 

A  small  species  also  attacks  the  vine ;  it  is  closely  allied 
to  the  M.  vitis  of  France ;  but,  fortunately,  its  ravages  are 
not  so  extensive  as  those  of  the  latter.  It  is  the  M.  varians 
of  Fabricius  :  Is  of  a  broad-oval  shape,  the  elytra  testa- 
common  species  quercina,  hirsuta,  herticula,  baiia,  and  some  otheis  might 
receive  the  generic  name  Phtllophaoa.  M.  vespertina,  sericca  and  iricolor 
would  form  another  subgenus,  which  might  be  called  Stilbolemma,  unless 
they  are  included  in  Serica,  MacLeay,  or  omaloplia  of  Megerle ;  the 
characters  of  their  genera  I  have  not  seen.  M.  pilosicoUis,  longitarsa,  and 
motfta  of  Knoch  and  Say  should  each  constitute  a  subgenus.  The  latter 
(with  M,  sordida  and  frondicola,  Say  ?)  belongs  to  Kirby's  genus  Apogonia. 
From  tho  singular  manner  in  which  the  nails  are  divided  at  tip,  I  would  call 
the  linearis  of  Schiinherr  Dichklonyx. 


O  AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF    MELOLONTHA. 

ceous ;  the  central  part  of  the  thorax,  the  head  around  the 
eyes,  the  body  beneath,  and  the  legs  blackish  green,  and 
bronzed,  in  the  male  ;  in  the  female  these  parts  are  of  a 
pale  brown  colour.  Length  of  the  male  seven  twentieths, 
breadth  one  fifth  of  an  inch.  Length  of  female  two  fifths, 
breadth  five  twentieths  of  an  inch.  It  feeds  on  the  culti- 
vated and  wild  grape-vine,  and  also  on  the  sumach. 

The  rose-chaffer^  or  rose-hug.^  'as  it  is  commonly  called,  is 
also  a  diurnal  Melolontha.  It  is,  exclusively,  an  American 
insect,  and  presents  such  peculiarities  in  form  as  would 
warrant  its  separation  from  the  genus  Melolontha,*  al- 
though it  agrees  with  others  of  the  genus  in  habits  and 
ceconomy. 

This  species  is  described  by  Fabricius  as  Melolontha 
subspinosa^  because  the  thorax  is  armed,  on  each  side,  with 
a  blunt  spine  or  tubercle ;  it  is  called  M.  polyphaga  by  Mel- 
sheimer,  probably  because  of  its  voracity;  elongata^  by 
Herbst,  from  its  elongated  form;  and  angustata,  by  Beau- 
vois,  from  the  narrowness  of  its  thorax.  A  description  of 
this  well  known  insect  would  be  superfluous. 

As  to  its  habits — among  the  most  remarkable  are  its 
voracity  and  salaciousness.  It  attacks,  without  much  dis- 
crimination, almost  every  tree,  shrub,  and  plant,  such  as 
the  oak,  elm,  cherry,  and  apple  trees,  the  rose,  sumach, 
and  elder  shrubs,  and  even  herbaceous  plants,  particularly 
the  common  white-weed,  C'hrysanthemum  leucanthemum. 
Generally,  during  the  day-time,  we  find  these  insects  pair- 

*  Stenothorax  would  be  an  appropriate  name  for  the  subgenus  having 
the  subspinosa  for  its  type. 

ScARAB^us  lanigerus,  Linn?eus  Melolontha  lanigera,  Fabr.  has  been 
referred  to  the  genus  RtiTELA  ;  but  Schonherr  says  it  is  not  a  Rutela,  and 
arranges  it  between  M.  fastuosa,  and  M.  aurata,  F.,  belonging  to  the  genus 
Anomala  ?  it  may  therefore  be  considered  as  the  type  of  a  new  subgenus. 
See  Schonherr's  Synonymia  Insectorum.  III.  p.  504.  ScARABiEus  punctdtus, 
Lin.,  Melolontha  ^junc/a/a,  Fabr,  or  Rptela  punctata,  Latreille,  belongs 
to  Mr.  MacLeay's  genus  Pelidnota. 

Melolontha  ;»artans,  Fabr,  is  congeneric  with  the  Awomala  vilis  of 
Megerle  and  Koppe. 


AMERICAN    SPECIES   OF    MELOLONTHA.  9 

ed,  the  male  holding  the  female  closely  embraced,  even 
when  not  in  coitu.  The  male  is  readily  distinguished  by  the 
greater  length  of  the  legs,  and  the  elongated,  pointed  ex- 
tremity of  the  body. 

The  rose-chaffer  makes  its  appearance  at  the  time  of 
blossoming  of  the  damask  rose,  which  usually  happens 
about  the  middle  of  June.  It  is  remarkable  that  it  does  not 
attack  the  cinnamon  rose,  which  blooms  earlier,  and  is 
often  found  on  the  elm  and  oak  before  it  appears  on  the 
garden  and  wild  rose.  It  continues  about  four  weeks,  and 
then  suddenly  disappears,  and  in  three  or  four  days  scarcely 
an  individual  is  to  be  seen.  The  first  rose-chaffer  that  I  ob- 
served the  present  year  (1826,)  was  discovered  on  a  small 
elm  shrub,  on  the  sixth  of  June;  none  had  as  yet  appeared 
on  the  rose.  The  general  disappearance  of  these  insects 
took  place  on  the  eighth  of  July,  although  a  few  individuals 
still  remained  on  the  flowers  of  the  elder,  as  late  as  the 
fifteenth  of  July.  A  vulgar  notion  prevails  that  the  rose- 
bug  turns  into  a  green  horse-fly,  because  the  common 
Tabanus  makes  its  appearance  about  the  time  that  the 
former  disappears.  This  opinion  is  incorrect,  though  not 
more  inconceivable  than  the  known  metamorphoses  of 
insects. 

After  the  sexual  union  is  accomplished  the  males  perish  : 
you  may  then  see  thousands  of  them  dead  on  the  ground 
beneath  your  rose-bushes,  and  you  will  seldom  find  a 
female  among  them.  The  latter  at  this  time  enter  into  the 
earth  to  deposit  their  eggs.  I  have  found  the  female  more 
than  a  foot  below  the  surface,  where  she  was  probably 
preparing  to  oviposit.  Towards  the  termination  of  their 
ravages  the  females  are  frequently  found  solitary,  seem 
considerably  defaced,  the  downy  coat  which  covers  their 
thorax  and  elytra  being  rubbed  off.  From  this  circum- 
stance we  may  conjecture  that  these  individuals  have  al- 
ready entered  the  earth  and  deposited  their  eggs,  and  have 
Vol.  X.  2 


10  AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF    MELOLONTHA. 

returned  to  the  surface  to  linger  a  few  days  without  further 
sexual  union. 

I  have  not  ascci'tained  the  period  when  the  larva  is 
hatched,  nor  the  length  of  Lime  that  expires  before  it  attains 
its  growth.  Nor  am  I  positive  as  to  the  identity  of  the  lar- 
va; although  I  have  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  what 
I  have  taken  to  be  such  is  really  so  ;  further  observation  is 
however  necessary.  The  supposed  larva  is  a  small  white 
grub;  the  head  covered  with  a  corneous  shell  of  a  yellow- 
ish colour ;  the  mouth  armed  with  strong  mandibles  or 
teeth;  and  the  anterior  extremity  furnished  v/ith  six  short 
feet ;  a  dark  line  runs  down  the  back,  occasioned  by  the 
dorsal  vessel,  containing  a  blueish  fluid,  which  is  conspicu- 
ous from  the  transparency  of  the  skin.  The  larva  moves 
with  considerable  celerity  when  first  taken  out  of  the  earth : 
it  is  about  half  an  inch  long,  and  one  line  in  diameter. 
That  it  is  the  grub  of  a  Melolontha  is  certain  from  its  close 
resemblance  to  that  of  others  of  this  genus  ;  that  it  is,  most 
probably,  the  larva  of  the  rose-bug  is  to  be  inferred  from 
its  being  found  in  the  same  location  as  the  pupa,  and  in 
considerable  quantities. 

The  pupce,  from  which  I  obtained  rose-bugs,  were  found, 
early  in  June,  (1826,)  three  or  four  inches  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  They  are  of  a  yellowish  white 
colour,  which  gradually  becomes  darker  as  they  approach 
the  perfect  state.  In  the  pupa  the  rudiments  of  the  wings, 
the  antennae  and  the  legs  are  discoverable,  folded  under 
the  body,  and  enclosed  beneath  a  thin  membrane,  which 
wraps  each  separately ;  the  eyes  appear  as  two  blue  spots ; 
the  dorsal  segments  of  the  body  are  prominent  in  ridges ; 
the  tail  is  acuminated,  and  retains  upon  it  the  exuvia3  or 
cast-skin  of  the  pupa,  until  a  few  days  before  it  throws  off 
its  last  covering,  and  emerges  from  the  earth  a  perfect  in- 
sect. This  last  and  important  change  is  not  effected  but 
by  the  greatest  efforts,  during  which  the  pupa  appears  to 
writhe  in  agony,  until,  by  its  continued  exertions,  it  bursts 


AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF    MELOLONTHA.  11 

its  membranous  shroud,  and  crawls  to  the  surface,  where 
its  wings  are  expanded  and  dried,  and  it  becomes,  from  a 
grovelling  worm  of  the  earth,  an  animated  tenant  of  the  air. 
This  interesting  metamorphosis  I  had  the  pleasure  of  wit- 
nessing through  the  side  of  a  glass  vessel  containing  earth 
in  which  1  had  placed  several  of  the  pupae. 

An  insect  in  its  larva  or  grub  state  may  be  said  to  be  in 
embryo;  as  its  organs  are  more  and  more  developed,  the 
different  membranes,  or  skins,  are  successively  ruptured  and 
cast  off,  and  when  it  has  finally  extricated  itself  from  its 
last  covering,  and  emerged  from  its  mother  earth,  it  bursts 
into  life  a  perfect  adult,  and  finds  itself  endued  with  new 
powers,  and  feels  the  influence  of  new  desires.  In  this 
state,  only,  is  it  capable  of  continuing  its  species,  and  fur- 
nished with  wings  to  carry  it  through  the  air  in  search  of 
companions  and  food. 

Rose-bugs  are  eaten  greedily  by  fowls ;  but  young  chick- 
ens sometimes  suffer  severely  from  swallowing  them  alive. 
A  simple  remedy  consists  in  pouring  sweet-oil  down  their 
throats.  When  the  powers  of  the  rose-bug  are  exhausted 
it  falls  to  the  ground,  and  furnishes  food  for  various  insecti- 
vorous animals,  particularly  ants.  In  France,  a  large  insect, 
called  vinaigrier,  (Carabus  auratus,  Lin.)  devours  the  female 
Melolontha  vulgaris  at  the  moment  when  she  is  about  to 
deposit  her  eggs.  I  have  taken  one  specimen  of  this  fine 
Carabus  in  this  state,  and  we  have  several  other  species 
which  are  equally  predaceous,  and  which  probably  contri- 
bute to  check  the  increase  of  our  native  species  of  Melo- 
lontha. 

French  writers  mention  several  methods  which  have 
been  proposed  for  the  extermination  of  these  insects.  Most 
of  them  are  ineffectual.*  Buchoz,  in  his  Histoire  des  Insectes 
nuisables,  I.,  132,  says,  that  Christian  Kleeman,  in  a  memoir 
sanctioned  by  the  Electoral  Palatine  Academy,  gives  the 
history  of  that  species  called  by  the  French  Hanneton  vuU 

*  See  Nouv.  Dictionaire  d'Histoiie  Naturelle  ;  article  Hanntlon, 


12  AMERICAN    SPECIES    OF   MELOLONTHA. 

gaire.  His  observations  were  made  in  1761  and  1762, 
■when  these  insects  were  very  numerous  and  destructive. 
He  recommends  making  a  general  pursuit  of  them;  de- 
claring that  he  had  killed  more  than  one  thousand  in  one 
day.  This  I  suspect  will  prove  to  be  the  best  method.  It 
has  been  found  useful  to  strew  upon  the  grape-vine  air- 
slacked  lime,  which  causes  the  rose-bugs  to  abandon  it. 
Fires  by  night  do  not  attract  them.  I  have  held  a  bright 
light  close  to  them,  in  a  dark  night,  without  in  the  least 
exciting  them  5  and  although  this  light  was  exhibited  in  the 
open  air,  in  their  immediate  vicinity,  for  a  long  time,  tiot 
one  rose-bug  approached  it.  The  Abbe  Rosier,  in  his 
Cours  d?  Agriculture^  (article  Hannelon^)  advises  to  collect 
and  destroy  the  perfect  insect  for  several  years  in  succes- 
sion. This  should  be  made  a  general  pursuit  in  order  to  be 
effectual ;  and  females  and  children  might  be  employed  in 
it. 

The  causes  that  contribute  to  the  growth  and  increase 
of  the  larvffi  are  not  sufficiently  understood.  The  severity 
of  winter,  and  the  coldness  and  moisture  of  a  succeeding 
spring,  do  not  always  appear  to  check  the  numbers  of  the 
perfect  insect,  which  are  often,  according  to  Olivier,*  de- 
veloped in  greater  abundance  after  such  seasons.  Neither 
can  we  predict  a  great  increase  from  an  abundant  oviposi- 
tion ;  for  the  eggs  may  not  be  hatched,  the  larvae  may 
perish,  or  the  pupae  remain  too  weak  to  undergo  their  last 
metamorphosis.  On  the  contrary,  a  small  number  of  eggs, 
deposited  under  circumstances  favourable  to  their  being 
hatched,  and  the  larvae  perfected  without  accident,  will 
cause  an  increased  quantity  of  the  perfect  insects. 

Certain  localities  »are  thought  to  be  favourable  to  the 
increase  of  the  rose-bug ;  what  these  are  I  have  not  ascer- 
tained ;  but  should  imagine  that  a  warm,  fertile,  and  rather 
dry  soil,  which  is  not  disturbed  by  the  plough  or  spade, 
would  furnish  an  appropriate  nidus  for  the  eggs. 

*01ivier's  remarks  refer  to  the  M.  vulzaris. 


ON   THE   CULTURE   OF   LUCERNE.  l^S" 

ON  THE  CULTURE  OF  LUCERNE:  TRANSLATED  AND  ABRIDGED 
FROM  THE  COURSE  OF  AGRICULTURE  OF  THE  ABBE  ROZIER. 

There  is  no  branch  of  agriculture  which  has  been  more 
neglected  in  the  State  of  Masssachusetts  than  that  of  the 
cultivated  grasses.  Till  within  a  few  years  our  farmers 
rarely  sowed  any  grass  seeds,  but  those  of  clover  and  herd's 
grass  or  timothy,  as  it  is  called  in  the  middle  States.  If 
the  farmer  should  say,  that  they  are  good  enough  for  all 
their  purposes,  our  reply  would  promptly  be,  how  can  you 
know  that  until  you  try  others?  That  there  are  better 
grasses  than  either  of  them  for  certain  purposes,  and  on 
certain  soils,  we  know. 

The  objections  to  red  or  Dutch  clover  are  numerous.  It 
is  apt  to  be  winter  killed,  much  more  so  than  the  plant  we 
shall  recommend  in  its  place ;  in  strong  soils,  it  is  too  luxu- 
riant; its  stalks  are  coarse,  and  are  rejected  by  all  but  very 
hungry  cattle  ;  its  leaves  are  very  apt  to  fall  in  drying,  and 
every  time  the  hay  is  removed ;  lastly,  it  lives  but  two 
years  5  if  it  did  not  sow  itself,  when  left  to  stand  till  herd's 
grass  is  ripe,  there  would  not  be  a  trace  of  it  the  third  year. 
These  are  serious  objections.  There  are  some  objections 
to  herd's  grass,  though  smaller  in  degree.  It  is  not  well 
adapted  to  dry  soils ;  it  is  a  late  grass,  gives  no  early  feed, 
and  no  after-math  or  after  feed  to  any  valuable  extent. 
We  shall  speak  of  its  partial  substitute  hereafter, — we  mean 
the  Orchard  grass.  This  grass  has  been  the  subject  of  dis- 
cussion these  thirty  years,  but  it  is  only  within  ten  or 
fifteen  years,  that  its  merits  have  been  admitted,  and  that 
it  has  been  cultivated  for  some  purposes  in  preference  to 
Herd's  grass.  The  Connecticut  farmers,  we  believe,  were 
the  first  who  cultivated  it  in  New  England,  and  John  Prince, 
Esq.  was  the  person  who  first  introduced  it  into  this  vici- 
nity. It  may  be  now  considered  as  having  fairly  overcome 
prejudices,  and  when  its  seeds  can  be  easily  procured  and 
at  a  cheap  rate  we  shall  see  as  many  fields  of  it  as  of  herd's 


14  ON  THE  CULTURE  OP  LUCERNE. 

grass  ;  the  latter,  however,  will  always  be  preferred  in  low 
lands.  It  is  not  to  us  extraordinary  that  it  did  not  make 
its  way  earlier.  Our  farmers  have  a  contempt  for  every 
thing  new,  especially  if  it  is  proffered  by  "  book  farmers." 
It  was  more  than  forty  years  after  "  Spinach"  was  intro- 
duced into  the  gardens  of  the  opulent  before  you  could  buy 
it  at  Boston  market,  though  it  had  been  a  regular  and  im- 
portant article  at  Covent  Garden,  and  in  the  Paris  markets, 
for  more  than  one  hundred  years.  The  disgrace  of  being 
so  slow  to  receive  valuable  novelties  is  not  confined  to  our 
farmers  and  gardeners.  The  medical  facuUy  of  Paris  pro- 
scribed as  poisonous  the  potato  one  hundred  years  after 
that  plant  had  raised  millions  of  vigorous,  and  athletic 
troops,  who,  under  Marlborough,  had  beaten  the  finest 
armies  of  France !  Let  us  delay  our  translation  one  mo- 
ment more,  by  saying  that  even  now  the  Salsafy  can  hardly 
be  said  to  be  a  regular  marketable  article  ;  that  the  Rhu- 
barb was  twenty  years  in  coming  into  favor,  and  that  the 
Sea  kale,  the  favorite  vegetable  of  Great  Britain,  cannot  find 
one  intelligent  cultivator,  who  will  tempt  the  Boston  gen- 
tlemen with  this  luxury. 

As  Orchard  grass  is  now  admitted  to  be  worth  cultivating, 
we  may  hope  that  Lucerne,  or  as  the  French  call  it,  Lu- 
zerne, will  have  a  fair  trial  as  a  substitute  for  clover.  Will 
Lucerne  bear  our  climate?  It  will;  it  is  hardier  than 
clover.  The  late  Mr.  John  Gore  had  a  field  of  it  at  Dor- 
chester nearly  twenty  years  ago  ;  its  early,  vigorous  growth 
attracted  notice  ;  and  it  endured  many  years.  The  writer 
of  this  article  received  a  pint  of  the  seed  of  Lucerne  from 
Florence,  under  the  name  of  Lupinella,  by  which  it  is  known 
in  Italy.  He  sowed  it  five  years  ago  ;  not  a  plant  has  ever 
died.  His  experience  enables  him  to  state,  that  it  starts 
earlier  than  clover,  grows  more  rapidly.  On  this  day, 
April  30,  1827,  it  is  nine  inches  high,  and  several  inches 
higher  than  clover  by  the  side  of  it.  It  has  been  cut  every 
year  four  times ;  its  stalks  are  not  so  coarse  or  woody  as 


ON  THE  CULTURE  OF  LUCERNE.  15 

those  of  clover;  its  leaves  are  more  numerous;  it  is  eaten 
greedily  by  cows  and  horses,  both  gi-een  and  dry.  Such  is 
the  experience  derived  from  the  culture  of  two  rods  square 
only.  An  half  acre  has  now  been  sown  with  it  the  pre- 
sent year.  We  shall  now  proceed  with  the  translation  of 
the  Abbe  Rozier's  article,  under  the  head  of  Luzerne. 
France  has  cultivated  this  grass  for  a  century  at  least,  and 
no  man  could  be  a  better  judge  of  it  than  this  learned  agri- 
culturist. 


From  Rozier's  Course  of  Agriculture. 
'<0F  THE  SOIL  ADAPTED  TO   LUZERNE." 

"  Many  authors  assert  that  it  succeeds  in  all  sorts  of  soil. 
This  assertion  as  a  general  one  is  true,  but  it  is  very  false 
as  a  particular  one.  I  have  often  said  in  the  course  of 
this  work,  that  you  may  lay  it  down  as  a  safe  rule  in  agri- 
culture, that  the  roots  of  plants  will  show  what  sort  of  soil 
they  require.  The  root  of  the  Luzerne  is  (what  we  call) 
tap  rooted  ;  has  few  fibres  (or  small  roots)  and  runs  directly 
down  as  soon  as  it  finds  a  soil  adapted  to  it.  It  is  not  un- 
common to  find  plants  of  Luzerne  whose  roots  are  six,  and 
sometimes  even  ten  feet  long.  It  is  clear  from  this  fact, 
which  I  certify  to  be  true,  that  this  plant  would  not  succeed, 
or  would  grow  poorly  in  a  soil  purely  stony  or  sandy ;  in 
a  strong,  clayey,  compact  soil,  or  even  in  a  vegetable  soil 
whose  thickness  does  not  exceed  from  six  to  twelve  inches, 
and  which  rests  upon  a  basis  of  gravel  or  clay.  The  roots 
in  that  case  cease  to  run  down,  and  at  the  least  drought  the 
plant  suffers,  languishes,  and  afterwards  perishes.  The 
great  point  is  to  seek  a  deep  soil.  The  best  soil  for  it, 
doubtless,  is  one  that  is  both  light  and  substantial.  Inter- 
vale lands  have  the  requisite  qualities,  rich  sandy  loams, 
and  generally  all  lands  which  are  situated  at  the  foot  of 
hills  or  mountains,  because  they  are  constantly  enriched 
by  the  earth  brought  down  by  rains.     On  the  quality  of 


16  ON  THE  CULTURE  OP  LUCERNE. 

the  soil  depends  the  duration  and  beauty  of  the  Luzerne. 
In  suitable  soils,  when  none  of  the  accidents  to  which  we 
shall  advert  happen  to  it,  it  will  last  in  the  southern  provin- 
ces (of  France)  from  ten  to  twenty  years.  Its  duration 
diminishes  in  proportion  as  the  soil  is  less  adapted  to  it, 
and  sometimes  it  will  not  last  more  than  four  or  five  years 
or  even  less  ;  in  this  case  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  sow  it? 
except  as  an  alternate  crop,  or  to  restore  a  field  exhausted 
by  over  cropping  with  wheat." 

[Note. — Though  the  Abbe  Rozier  would  seem  to  restrict 
the  culture  to  the  best  soils  only,  yet  he  admits  that  other 
writers  contend  that  it  is  fitted  for  any  soils ;  and  the  land 
on  which  we  have  seen  it  flourish  here  is  not  remarkable 
for  its  goodness ;  any  good  loam  easily  penetrated  by  its 
roots  would  suit  it;  but  no  doubt,  a  plant  so  luxurious  in  its 
growth,  an'd  with  such  a  quantity  of  leaves,  could  not  sus- 
tain drought  on  a  gravelly  or  clayey  soil.] 

Of  the  choice  of  seed  and  the  time  of  sowing. 

The  seed  is  usually  gathered  only  from  old  fields  of  Lu- 
cerne, which  are  about  to  be  destroyed,  and  in  that  case 
you  leave  it  to  dry  on  the  stalk,  till  the  first  frosts.     As  the 
seed  vessel  or  pod  of  this  plant  is  in  a  spiral  form,  and 
opens  with  difficulty,  the  farmer  is  not  pressed  as  to  the 
time  of  thrashing  out,  or  harvesting  the  seed.     In  the  nor- 
thern parts  of  France  the  grass  should  not  be  cut  in  the 
year  in  which  it  is  intended  to  gather  the  seed  ;  but  in  the 
south  of  France  you  may  make  a  crop  of  early  hay,  and 
the  second   crop  will  ripen   its  seeds.      [Experience   has 
shown,  that  we  may  in  America  take  a  first  crop  of  hay, 
and  that  the  second  growth  will  ripen  its  seeds  in  great 
abundance.]     It  is  very  important,  that  the  seeds  should 
be  thoroughly  ripe,  otherwise  they  will  not  vegetate.    The 
seeds  should  acquire  a  brown  colour,  or  else  they  will  come 
up  thinly,  and  not  cover  the  ground.     When  you  judge  that 
the  seed  is  ripe  enough,  you  cut  it  in  a  dry  day,  and  leave 
it  exposed  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  several  days  running,  after 


CHOICE    OF   SEED   AND  TIME    OP    SOWING.  17 

which,  it  is  carried  under  cover,  in  order  to  be  thrashed  on 
some  dry  day  in  the  following  winter.  I  have  remarked 
that  the  pods  open  with  great  difficulty,  and  that  the  seeds 
come  out  very  hardly.  You  must  not  then  be  weary  in 
thrashing  it  thoroughly,  in  winnowing  it  often,  and  in  thrash- 
ing that  which  has  been  winnowed — in  short,  it  requires 
patience  to  separate  this  seed ;  of  course,  the  winter,  as  a 
season  of  leisure,  is  chosen  for  this  purpose.  You  must 
take  care  not  to  throw  the  chaff  on  the  dung  heap,  for  many 
seeds  will  still  remain,  and  if  carried  out  with  the  dung 
will  grow  and  be  difficult  to  eradicate,  or  destroy.  Many 
authors  maintain,  that  the  seeds  of  this  plant  are  not  good 
for  sowing  after  the  first  year,  but  the  Abbe  de  Rozier's 
experience  was  to  the  contrary,  though  he  thinks  it  safest 
to  sow  new  seeds,  but  by  no  means  to  throw  away  old 
seeds.  0 

Of  the  proper  time  of  sowing  Lucerne* 

To  point  out  a  precise  moment  would  lead  to  error.  It 
depends  on  the  climate  and  the  season.  In  the  south  of 
France  there  are  two  seasons,  one  in  the  course  of  Sep- 
tember, and  the  other  at  the  end  of  February,  and  so  on 
into  March,  and  even  later,  even  till  the  middle  of  April. 
The  sowings  in  September  gain  one  year ;  the  next  season 
following  the  sowing,  you  cut  the  Lucerne  like  all  other 
grasses  ;  in  that  case  (of  fall  sowing)  the  plant  flowers  later 
the  first  year,  and  you  cut  but  one  crop.  [In  the  northern 
parts  of  the  U.  States  we  cannot  sow  in  autumn ;  the  plants 
would  be  winter  killed.]  Mr.  Rozier  says,  that  in  the 
northern  parts  of  France,  the  sowing  must  be  governed  by 
the  season,  and  may  be  done  as  soon  as  the  frosts  have 
ceased,  and  should  not  be  regulated  by  Saint's  days.  We 
should  not  be  in  haste  to  take  a  crop,  and  it  is  prudent  to 
take  but  one  the  first  year,  in  order  not  to  exhaust  the 
plant,  and  especially  to  permit  it  to  grow  so  thick,  as  to 
stifle  all  pernicious  weeds.  When  the  Lucerne  has  once 
Vol.  X.  3 


18  PROPER    TIME    OF    SOWING    LUCERNE. 

taken  hold  in  a  field,  it  demands  very  little  care.  Some 
recommend  thin  sowing  in  order  that  the  root  may  have 
room  to  send  up  many  stalks.  Mr.  Rozier  on  the  other 
hand  advises  to  sow  it  thick,  because  all  the  seeds  will  not 
grow,  and  the  strong  plants  will  destroy  the  weaker  ones, 
but  he  admits  that  too  thick  sowing  is  injurious.  "  I  think 
(says  Monsieur  Rozier),  that  it  will  succeed,  if  sowed  with 
wheat,  but  I  have  never  tried  it."  [We  know  that  it  will.] 
— Editors.  "  We  cannot  estimate  exactly  the  quantity  of 
grain  estimated  by  weight  which  should  be  sown  on  a  given 
space  of  ground ;  so  much  depends  on  the  nature  of  the 
soil,  and  the  time  of  sowing.  If  sown  in  September,  it 
should  be  sown  thicker,  for  it  has  to  encounter  ants,  birds, 
and  overflowing  rains  of  winter.  In  spring  it  has  fewer 
risks  to  encounter.  [In  our  country,  at  least,  in  New 
England,  fall  sowing  will  never  answer.] — Editors.  You 
may,  however,  say,  that  upon  a  surface  of  four  hundred 
square  toises  [one  third  of  an  acre]  you  ought  to  sow  some- 
thing more  than  one  sixteenth  of  a  hundred  weight,  (say 
seven  pounds.)  This  would  be  at  the  rate  of  twenty  one 
pounds  to  the  acre.  If  you  can  procure  good  seeds  from  a 
distant  province,  the  plant  will  gain  by  the  exchange.  The 
planters  in  the  north  of  France  were  for  a  long  time  per- 
suaded, that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  procure  their 
seed  from  the  south,  and  they  were  right,  because  the  plant 
had  not  then  become  acclimated,  but  at  present,  these  dis- 
tant transportations  do  not  take  place.  I  am  inclined  to 
think,  says  Rozier,  that  at  this  moment  it  is  better  to  sow 
northern  seed  in  the  south.  I  repeat  it,  change  of  seed  is 
useful  in  the  case  of  Lucerne,  but  not  as  much  so  as  for 
wheat  crops." 

[We  add,  that  in  Massachusetts,  the  Lucerne  ripens  its 
seeds  as  freely  as  clover.] — Editors. 

Of  the  preparation  of  the  land  for  Lucerne. 
At  whatever  season  you  sow,  the  land  ought  to  be  ren- 


PREPARATION  OF  LAND  FOR  LUCERNE.  19 

dered  very  fine  by  ploughing  and  harrowing,  because  all 
seeds  buried  under  clods  will  never  sprout.  If  you  har- 
row after  each  ploughing,  the  labour  will  be  less.  It  is  not 
possible  to  prescribe  the  number  of  ploughings,  because 
much  depends  on  the  nature  of  the  soil.  The  nature  of 
the  Lucerne  root  points  out  the  necessity  of  deep  ploughing. 
The  duration  and  the  goodness  of  a  field  of  Lucerne  de- 
pends in  a  great  measure,  upon  the  success  of  the  first 
year;  if  the  seeds  do  not  come  up  well,  if  they  are  sown 
too  thin,  weeds  will  obtain  the  lead  over  the  grass.  If  you 
sow  Lucerne  in  the  Spring,  two  fall  ploughings  will  much 
facilitate  your  deep  ploughing  in  the  Spring;  besides,  the 
earth  is  adn'iirably  divided  by  the  winter  frosts.  Winter  is 
an  excellent  labourer.  After  the  last  ploughing,  if  the  fur- 
roughs  are  deep,  you  must  harrow  before  sowing.  Then 
sow,  and  harrow  ;  first  with  the  teeth  of  the  harrow  down, 
then  with  the  flat  side  of  the  harrow,  and  so  alternately  till 
the  seeds  are  well  covered,  and  it  would  be  well  to  attach 
a  bush  harrow  to  the  harrow  with  teeth.  [In  general,  these 
directions  do  not  differ  from  our  usual  course  in  sowing 
clover  and  other  grass  seeds,  and  the  same  treatment  which 
is  adapted  to  clover  will  be  proper  for  Lucerne,  except  that 
the  ploughing  should  be  as  deep  as  possible.] — Editors. 

Of  the  care  required  for  Lucerne  fields. 
When  the  soil  is  adapted  to  the  plant,  and  it  has  come  up 
well,  it  requires  no  care.  This  remark  does  not  agree  with 
the  assertions  of  authors,  who  prescribe  weeding  as  neces- 
sary to  success  ;  a  precaution  useless,  an  expense  super- 
fluous, if  the  Lucerne  has  not  been  sown  too  thin.  1  had 
scarcely,  says  the  Abbe  Rozier,  chosen  Languedoc  as  the 
place  of  my  retreat,  than  I  began  to  sow  Lucerne,  and  full 
of  the  ideas  1  had  before  acquired,  I  caused  my  fields  of 
Lucerne  to  be  regularly  weeded.  The  peasants  smiled  at 
my  care  and  solicitude.  I  asked  them  the  reason  of  their 
ridicule, — the  Lucerne,  said  they,  will  do  more  for  itself, 


20  CARE   REQUIRED   OP   LUCERNE    FIELDS. 

than  you  can  do  for  it ;  let  it  alone,  it  will  kill  the  weeds 
without  your  help.  For  this  time  they  were  right ;  the  part 
of  the  field  which  was  not  weeded,  was  the  next  year  as  good 
as  that  which  had  been.  After  that,  1  was  not  so  ready  to 
throw  away  my  money  for  nothing  The  Abbe  occupies 
some  pages  with  the  destructive  effects  of  an  insect,  a  Sca- 
rabaeus,  something  like  our  rose  bug,  upon  fields  of  Lucerne, 
but  as  we  may  never  be  visited  with  that  scourge,  we  shall 
omit  his  remarks  on  this  subject  for  the  present. 

Of  the.  different  crops  of  Lucerne  [m  the  same  season.'\ 

If  you  give  credit  to  the  assertion  of  an  English  writer, 
Mr.  Hall,  in  other  respects  a  writer  of  great  merit,  the 
southern  parts  of  France  have  the  advantage  of  making 
even  seven  crops  a  year.  Unhappily  for  them  it  is  not 
true,  be  the  seasons  ever  so  favorable,  even  when  you  have 
water  at  command  and  can  water  your  fields  at  pleasure. 
If  you  cut  the  plant  before  it  is  in  full  flower,  you  obtain 
only  a  watery  plant  of  little  substance,  and  which  loses 
three  fourths  of  its  weight  in  drying.  It  would,  besides, 
afford  but  litde  nourishment.  Supposing  that  the  crop 
should  be  cut  from  the  beginning  to  the  middle  of  April,  is 
it  possible  that  the  Lucerne  should  have  time  to  flower 
seven  times  in  the  same  season  ?  It  is  rare,  that  we  can 
have  more  than  fve  crops.  The  ordinary  number  in  the 
provinces,  of  which  Mr.  Hall  speaks,  is  four  crops.  If  the 
season  shall  have  been  favourable  it  is  a  fine  and  rich 
product.  No  field  yields  numerically  so  much  as  a  good 
Lucerne  field.  It  is  a  clear  and  net  revenue  for  ten  years, 
which  demands  no  culture,  no  advance  except  that  of  pre- 
paring the  land  for  the  crop  at  first ;  the  cost  of  seed,  and 
the  wages  of  the  mowers.  One  third  of  an  acre,  or  400 
square  toises  of  Lucerne  field,  are  usually  let  for  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  livres,  or  thirty  dollars  a  year !  Happy 
the   proprietor,   who  has  much    land  fitted  for   Lucerne. 

Many  persons  affirm  that  Lucerne  Avill  succeed  in  any 


DIFFERENT    CROPS    OF    LUCERNE    IN    THE    SAME    SEASON.     21 

soil;  if  this  assertion  was  as  true,  as  it  certainly  is  false,  a 
great  part  of  Provence  and  Languedoc  would  be  covered 
with  Lucerne,  because  natural  meadows  are  very  scarce  in 
these  provinces  for  want  of  water,  but  experience  has 
proved,  most  decisively,  that  Lucerne  requires  a  deep  soil, 
not  clayey,  neither  too  stiff  nor  too  sandy. 

In  the  central  provinces  of  France,  Lucerne  is  cut  three 
times  in  ordinary  years,  and  four  times  in  favorable  ones ; 
and  from  two  to  three  times  in  the  northern  provinces.  It 
is  a  general  rule  that  Lucerne  should  not  be  cut  except  when 
in  flower;  before  that  state,  it  is  generally  too  watery,  and 
its  juices  crude  ;  after  that  period,  it  becomes  too  dry  and 
too  woody.  Cattle  should  not  be  suffered  to  feed  on  Lucerne 
fields  after  the  last  cutting,  nor  during  winter,  when  the 
ground  is  soft.  The  heads  of  the  plants  yield  to  the  hoofs 
of  the  cattle,  and  injure  the  grass  essentially.  It  is  useful 
to  pass  a  harrow  over  a  field  of  Lucerne  in  the  spring,  and 
the  crop  will  amply  repay  the  expense  of  it.  Lucerne 
should  be  cut  in  a  cool  dry  time,  and  tended  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  Rains, — frequent  rains  while  making  are  very 
injurious  to  this  grass.  Let  it  be  cut  under  circumstances 
ever  so  favorable,  and  be  perfectly  dry,  it  must  not  be  car- 
ried in  with  the  dew  upon  it,  nor  moved  in  the  very  heat 
of  the  day,  because,  in  that  case  it  is  very  apt  to  lose  its 
leaves,  which  are  the  best  part.  For  this  reason  it 
should  be  stirred  as  little  as  possible  in  the  middle  of  the 
day.  Great  care  should  be  taken  that  the  hay  should  be 
well  cured,  otherwise  it  is  apt  to  heat,  and  even  take  fire. 
The  first  cutting  of  Lucerne  in  any  season  is  the  least 
valuable,  because  it  is  apt  to  be  mixed  with  other  grasses 
or  plants.  The  second  is  the  best ;  the  third  is  usually  very 
good  also,  but  in  the  fourth  and  later  crops,  the  juices  of 
the  plant  are  not  so  rich,  and  of  course  are  less  nutri- 
tive. 


22  TO    RENEW    THE    VIGOR    AND    GROWTH  OF   LUCERNE. 

Of  the  means  of  renewing  the  vigor  and  growth  of  Lucerne 

Fields. 

Lucerne  fields  will  wear  out  in  time,  but  you  may  retard 
its  period  of  decline  by  different  treatment  and  manures. 
The  first,  which  is  the  most  prompt,  convenient  and  cheap, 
is  to  feed  j'our  sheep  upon  it  after  the  last  cutting,  and  even 
during  winter. 

Mr.  Meyer  proposed  in  1768,  to  employ  Gypsum  or 
plaster  of  Paris  to  revive  and  recruit  old  Lucerne  fields,  and 
communicated  to  the  ceconomical  society  of  Berne,  the  seve- 
ral experiments  he  had  made.  These  experiments  were 
repeated  by  Mr.  Kirchburger  with  care,  and  the  following 
were  the  results  : 

1.  That  a  quantity  of  calcined  plaster,  equal  in  mea- 
sure, to  the  quantity  of  oats  which  would  be  required  to 
sow  any  piece  of  land,  is  sufficient  to  manure  it. 

2.  That  gypsum  succeeds  better  on  Lucerne  fields  which 
are  rich,  than  on  those  which  are  poor  and  sandy. 

3.  That  it  produces  a  greater  effect  the  first  than  the 
second  year. 

4.  That  it  is  less  active  in  a  moist  soil  than  in  a  dry 
one. 

5.  If  you  sow  the  plaster  as  soon  as  possible  in  Spring, 
the  first  crop  will  feel  the  effects  of  it. 

Mr.  the  Abbe  Rozier  adds  "  I  acknowledge  according 
to  my  own  experience,  that  plaster  is  very  beneficial  for  Lu- 
cerne fields  which  begin  to  decline  ;  that  it  facilitates  in  a 
great  degree  the  growth  of  the  large  clover;  that  it  is  very 
useful  in  meadows  covered  with  moss." 

The  Abbe  proceeds  to  recommend  also  air-slacked  lime, 
which  he  prefers  to  plaster.  He  notices,  and  approves  a 
suggestion  of  the  celebrated  Duhamel,  that  when  a  Lucerne 
field  becomes  partially  disfurnished  by  the  death  of  some 
plants,  to  supply  their  place  by  laying  the  branches  of  the 
adjoining  ones,  which  will  take  root ;  but  it  seems  to  us 
that  a  simpler  course,  which  we  have  long  since  adopted 


VALUE  OF  LUCERNE  AS  FOOD.  23 

with  tlover  is  preferable,  which  is,  every  spring  to  run  over 
the  field  with  a  harrow,  and  throw  in  fresh  seeds  in  the 
bare  spots. 

Of  the  value  of  Lucerne  as  Food. 

Lucerne  loses  some  of  its  value  in  proportion  to  its  dis- 
tance from  its  native  soil ;  that  is  to  say,  it  is  not  so 
nourishing,  because  its  juices  are  more  watery  when  grown 
in  northern  countries.  Notwithstanding  this  no  fodder  can 
be  compared  to  it  in  point  of  quality;  none  keeps  animals 
in  so  high  a  state  of  flesh  ;  none  augments  or  increases  the 
quantity  of  milk  so  much  as  Lucerne.  These  praises  in  all 
respects  merited,  require  however  some  qualifications.  Lu- 
cerne is  heating  to  animals,  and  if  you  do  not  moderate 
the  quantity  in  the  hot  season  of  the  year,  and  especially  in 
Southern  provinces,  horned  cattle  will  become  diseased.  If 
you  trust  your  labourers,  they  are  so  proud  of  seeing  their 
cattle  fat,  that  they  stuff  them  with  this  food,  and  are  un- 
willing to  believe  that  it  can  be  the  cause  of  disease. 
I  know  of  but  one  mode  of  preventing  the  waste  of  Lu- 
cerne by  your  servants,  and  labourers,  and  that  is  to  mix  it 
in  equal  parts  with  straw,  not  in  layers,  but  confusedly  and 
generally  mixed.  The  straw  contracts  the  smell  and  fla- 
vour of  the  lucerne  ;  the  animals  eat  it  with  pleasure,  and 
are  never  injured  by  it.  Lucerne  given  green  to  horned 
cattle  or  horses,  is  apt  to  purge  them;  for  which  reason 
it  is  a  rule  never  to  give  it  till  it  has  been  cut  24  hours. 
Care  also  is  taken  to  give  it  in  small  quantities  at  a  time, 
lest  they  should  be  hoven.  This  is  not  peculiar  to  Lucerne. 
The  same  effects  are  produced  by  green  wheat,  oats,  &c. 
&c.  All  pasturage  which  is  too  succulent  is  dangerous. 
In  case  this  accident  of  being  hoven  should  occur,  an  ex- 
pedient which  I  have  tried  has  never  failed,  (says  the  Abbe 
Rosier)  which  is  to  make  them  swallow  an  ounce  of  nitre 
(salt  petre)  in  a  glass  of  brandy,  to  empty  the  bowels  of 
the  animal,  and  to  make  him  run. 


24  CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE. 

We  subjoin  the  two  following  letters  on  the  same  subject 
to  Messrs.  Grant  Thorburn  and  Son,  New-York,  shewing 
American  experience  as  to  the  culture  and  value  of  Lu- 
cerne. 

Directions  for  the  Cultivation  of  Lucerne. 

Perth  Amboy,  Kew-Jersey,  July  lOiA,  1823. 
Messrs.  Grant  Thorburn  and  Son, — Having  been 
for  eight  or  ten  years  in  the  successful  practice  of  the  cul- 
ture of  Lucerne,  I  think  it  may  beneficially  promote  the  in- 
terests of  Agriculture,  to  offer  to  you  a  few  remarks  on  that 
subject.  This  article  (frequently  denominated  French 
Clover,)  I  have  found  from  experience,  to  be  not  only  the 
most  convenient,  but  also  the  most  profitable  of  all  grasses. 
It  vegetates  quicker  in  the  spring  than  any  other  grass ;  it 
resists  the  effects  of  drought ;  it  may  be  cut  four  or  five 
times  in  the  course  of  a  season,  and  will  endure  from 
ten  to  twelve  years  without  renewing.  Of  all  other  grass- 
es, it  is  the  most  profitable  for  soiling.  I  am  fully  of 
opinion,  that  one  acre  properly  got  in,  would  be  more  than 
sufficient  to  maintain  at  least  six  head  of  cattle,  from  the 
first  of  May  until  frost  sets  in;  for  before  it  can  be  cut 
down  in  this  way,  the  first  part  will  again  be  ready  for  the 
scythe.  English  writers  have  recommended  the  drill  sys- 
tem for  this  article,  but  in  this  climate,  I  have  found  this  is 
entirely  fallacious.  The  proper  mode  is,  to  have  your  land 
properly  prepared,  to  sow  the  seed  broad-cast,  and  to  get 
it  in  during  the  month  of  April,  or  in  the  early  part  of 
May.  Fall  sowing  will  not  answer,  for,  like  clover,  when 
sowed  late,  it  is  found  not  to  resist  the  winter's  frost.  It 
may  be  sowed  by  itself,  or  with  spring  rye,  barley,  or  oats  . 
but  in  the  last  case,  I  would  recommend  the  oats  to  be  cut 
green,  and  before  getting  into  seed,  by  which  means,  an 
early  feed  for  cattle  may  be  obtained,  and  the  soil  will  not 
be  so  much  (if  any  impoverished.  But  the  mode  I  would 
most  confidently  recommend,  would  be  to  sow  with  the  Lu- 


CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE.  26 

cerne,  about  half  a  bushel  of  common  or  winter  rye.  The 
effect  of  this  is,  that  the  rye,  which  vegetates  quickly,  serves 
as  a  nurse  to  the  young  grass,  against  the  heat  of  the 
scorching  sun  ;  and  by  the  lime  the  grass  attains  strength 
to  protect  itself,  the  rye  withers  and  apparently  dies.  It 
will,  however,  come  forth  in  the  spring,  and  mixed  with  the 
lucerne,  prove  a  most  excellent  feed  for  cattle,  and  also  add 
much  to  the  quantity  of  fodder.  The  rye  will  admit  of 
being  cut  green  in  this  way,  before  getting  into  seed,  two  or 
three  times  before  it  decays.  The  quantity  of  seed  I  would 
recommend  to  be  sowed  to  the  acre,  would  be  from  15  to 
20lb.  The  kind  of  soil  most  suitable  for  this  culture,  is  a 
dry  mellow  loam,  but  a  sandy  or  clay  loam  will  also  an- 
swer, provided  they  are  not  wet.  In  a  favourable  season, 
the  lucerne  may  be  cut  the  ensuing  fall  after  sowing.  Af- 
ter the  first  season,  you  may  generally  begin  to  cut  green 
for  cattle  by  the  first  of  May,  which  saves  your  young  pas- 
tures, and  is  in  every  respect  a  great  convenience,  as  hogs, 
and  every  description  of  animals,  devour  it  with  equal 
avidity.  It  produces  a  great  quantity  of  seed,  and  is  much 
more  easily  threshed  out,  than  Clover.  The  second  and 
third  crops  are  the  most  productive  of  seed. 

Yours,  JOHN  PATRICK. 


Kip^s-Bay,  near  JSTew-York,  JVovemher  7,  1826. 

Messrs.  Grant  Thorburn  and  Son, — Last  spring,  a 
year  ago,  you  may  remember  you  sold  to  me  one  pound 
of  French  Clover  seed,  (Lucerne,)  I  sowed  it  (as  an 
experiment)  with  my  oats,  in  April  of  the  same  year.  It 
yielded  fine  pasture  after  the  oats  were  cut ;  and  last  Spring, 
when  my  red  clover  began  to  make  its  appearance,  the  Lu- 
cerne was  full  three  inches  above  the  ground.  On  the 
1 1th  day  of  May,  I  began  to  soil  it,  daily  cutting  enough  to 
serve  my  three  horses  in  my  stable,  and  with  very  little 

Vol.  X.  4 


26  CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE. 

help  from  other  grass,  I  have  continued  the  soiling  until 
this  day.  My  horses  have  kept  in  good  order  through  the 
whole  season,  and  I  have  not  led  them  ten  bushels  of  oats, 
or  any  other  grain,  during  the  whole  time.  It  was  richly 
manured  with  compost.  I  mowed  it  five  times  notwithstand- 
ing the  severe  drought. 

Respectfully,  yours,  THOMAS  STORM. 


After  having  completed  the  extracts  from  the  Abbe  Ro- 
zier  on  Lucerne,  we  met  with  an  English  work,  which  is 
still  more  full  on  the  same  subject;  and  as  it  would  be  well 
to  put  our  readers  in  possession  of  so  many  facts,  and  of 
such  a  variety  of  authority,  as  wholly  to  satisfy  their  minds 
of  the  great  value  of  this  grass,  we  shall  insert  copious  ex- 
tracts from  this  English  work  "  the  Complete  Farmer," — 
printed  1793. 

Columella,  an  ancient  writer,  calls  Lucerne  the  choicest 
of  all  fodder,  because  it  will  last  ten  years,  and  will  bear 
being  cut  down  four,  and  sometimes  six  times  a  year  ;  it  en- 
riches the  land  in  which  it  grows,  fattens  the  callle  fed 
with  it,  and  is  a  remedy  for  sick  cattle.  Yet  notwithstand- 
ing it  was  so  much  esteemed  by  the  ancients,  and  hath 
been  cultivated  to  great  advantage  in  France  and  Switzer- 
land, for  many  years,  it  has  not  yet  found  so  good  a  re- 
ception in  England  as  it  justly  deserves;  [this  was  written 
34  years  ago]  nor  is  it  cultivated  here  in  any  considerable 
quantity,  though  it  will  succeed  as  well  in  this  country,  as 
in  either  of  the  last  mentioned,  being  extremely  hardy, 
and  resisting  the  severest  cold  of  our  climate.  [This  is  as 
true  in  Massachusetts:  it  is  hardier  than  Clover.]  Mr. 
Roque  lays  it  down  as  a  maxim  from  his  own  practice, 
that  Lucerne  will  grow  on  any  soil,  provided  it  be  not  too 
wet  to  rot  the  roots.  The  strongest  land  is  however  to 
be  preferred,  and  the  deeper  the  soil,  the  better  will  be  the 
crop.     The  land  should  be  prepared  in  the  same  manner 


CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE.  27 

as  for  barley,  and  brought  to  a  fine  tilth.  The  Lucerne, 
should  be  sown  broad-cast,  in  fine  weather,  at  the  rate  of 
fourteen  pounds  to  the  acre.  If  grain  is  sown  with  it,  it 
should  only  be  for  half  a  crop,  otherwise  it  will  be  apt  to 
destroy  the  Lucerne,  especially  if  the  grain  should  prove 
rank ;  but  if  no  grain  is  sown  with  it,  the  Lucerne  will  be 
better.  Lucerne  may  be  sown  from  the  beginning  of 
March,  to  the  end  of  May.  If  you  sow  grain  with  it  ever 
so  thin,  and  it  should  prove  luxuriant,  it  had  better  be  cut 
green,  lest  it  should  hurt  the  Lucerne.  The  grain  thus  cut 
Tn?iy  be  given  to  cattle  green,  or  if  properly  dried  will 
make  excellent  hay.  Lucerne  will  not  grow  on  newly  bro- 
ken-up  land  ;  it  must  be  tilled  a  year  or  two  ;  potatoes  m.ake 
the  best  preparation  for  Lucerne.  In  Languedoc  they  sow 
no  grain  with  it ;  but  they  cut  over  the  Lucerne  when  it  is 
six  inches  high,  so  as  to  keep  down  weeds  and  other  plants. 
In  Normandy,  whose  climate  resembles  that  of  Eng- 
land, they  sow  grain  with  it.  When  the  plants  are  a  year 
old  it  will  be  proper  to  go  over  the  ground  with  a  large 
harrow,  to  root  up  annual  weeds  and  grass.  The  harrow 
will  not  hurt  the  roots  of  Lucerne,  they  being  very  tough  ; 
this  should  be  done  in  dry  weather,  before  the  Lucerne  be- 
gins to  sprout,  and  if  there  are  any  patches,  where  the  seed 
miscarried,  you  can  throw  in  a  little  seed  upon  them.  The 
second  year,  you  may  run  over  your  Lucerne  with  a  smooth 
plough,  without  a  coulter,  to  prevent  the  roots  being  too 
much  hurt,  and  leave  it  rough  a  few  days,  then  harrow  it 
smooth.  One  not  used  to  Lucerne  would  be  apt  to  think 
that  ploughing  would  ruin  it,  but  experience  shows  the  con- 
trary. In  making  it  into  hay,  it  should  be  cut  as  soon  as 
the  bloom  appears  ;  it  must  not  be  spread  like  other  grass, 
but  lie  in  the  swarth,  like  Clover,  and  turned  in  the  same 
manner,  or  the  leaves,  which  are  most  nutritive,  will  fall 
off.  If  suffered  to  stand  too  long  before  mowing,  the 
stalks  become  too  hard  for  cattle,  and  it  loses  much  of  its 
goodness.    The  hay  is  good  for  all  sorts  of  cattle,  and  when 


28  CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE. 

horses  are  fed  with  it,  they  should  not  have  their  full  al- 
lowance of  corn ;  the  Lucerne  answers,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, the  purpose  of  both  hay  and  grain.  It  is  also  the 
most  profitable  fodder  to  feed  horses  with  in  summer  by 
mowing,  and  giving  it  to  them  green.  If  the  land  is  good, 
the  produce  is  incredible.  Mr.  Roque  says  he  has  seen 
it  mowed  five  times  in  a  season,  yielding,  at  the  five  mowings, 
eight  loads  of  hay  per  acre. 

As  the  duration  of  Lucerne  has  been  a  question  of  dis- 
pute, this  author  quotes  the  authority  of  an  able  cultivator. 
"As  to  its  duration,  it  will  last  as  long  as  the  ground  is  kept 
clean.  I  saw  some  at  Mr.  Middleman's  at  Grantham,  in  his 
garden,  which  was  forty  years  old,  and  it  was  very  fine." 
The  practical  cultivator  says  "  It  ought  not  to  be  cut  ex- 
cept when  it  is  in  blossom,  and  that  is  but  three  times  a 
year,  but  after  mowing  the  third  crop,  instead  of  cutting  a 
fourth,  you  may  feed  if,  but  when  the  fr9sts  come  you  must 
take  your  cattle  off",  because  they  would  bruise  the  young 
stalks.  If  it  is  rank  in  September,  it  is  dangerous  for  cows, 
it  being  too  feeding  [hearty] ;  but  turn  horses  and  sheep  up- 
on it.  As  there  is  no  grass,  which  has  come  to  our  know- 
ledge, which  gives  the  cows  so  much  milk,  you  may  let 
them  graze  in  the  afternoon  when  the  dew  is  oft',  about  one 
hour;  when  made  hay  it  is  likewise  the  best  for  milk; 
wherever  it  is  much  cultivated  they  prefer  it  to  all  other 
kinds  of  hay.  When  I  was  in  Monosque,  a  city  in  Pro- 
vence, the  carriers  fed  their  horses  upon  it,  preferably  to 
any  other,  without  corn  ;  and  they  were  fat  and  in  fine  or- 
der. It  is  acknowledged  to  be  the  most  feeding  [hearty  ?] 
pasture,  either  green  or  in  hay.  I  trust  not  barely  to  re- 
port, but  have  found  it  so  myself.  Many  are  apt  to  con- 
demn it,  but  it  is  for  want  of  knowledge.  It  has  been  in- 
troduced for  a  long  number  of  years,  but  so  little  noticed 
that  21  years  ago,  [that  is  in  1772,]  there  were  not  200 
weight  of  Lucerne  seeds  to  be  sold  among  all  the  Seedsmen 
in  London,  and  I  had  much  ado  to  re-introduce  it;  but  now, 
[in  1793,]  there  is  a  prodigious  consumption  of  it." 


CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE.  29 

[Note.  The  fate  of  this  grass  has  been  the  same  in  the 
United  States.  More  than  twenty  years  ago,  some  seeds 
were  imported  and  succeeded  admirably,  yet  it  is  only 
within  a  few  seasons  that  we  have  had  any  for  sale  ;  proba- 
bly the  want  of  regular  Seedsmen,  and  the  trouble  of  im- 
porting from  France,  were  among  the  causes  of  its  slow 
progress  in  the  United  States.] 

"  Mr.  Beadle,  a  farmer  in  Kent,  has  fourteen  acres  of  it, 
for  which  he  had  a  premium.  When  I  called  upon  him  in 
May  last,  he  had  movved  his  Lucerne,  and  sold  it  on  the 
spot  for  three  guineas  a  load.  Those  that  bought  this  hay 
must  be  well  acquainted  with  its  goodness  to  fetch  it  from 
the  spot,  though  they  lived  ten  or  twelve  miles  distant. 
Horses  will  work  with  it  green,  as  well  as  with  hay  and 
corn  ;  they  do  not  sweat  with  it  as  they  do  with  other  green 
fodder.  It  is  objected,  that  it  is  difficult  to  make ;  it  is  no 
more  so  than  Clover.  All  hay  is  difficult  to  make  in  wet 
weather,  but  if  the  weather  is  bad,  put  it  up  in  ricks  when 
dry,  and  between  every  layer  strow  a  little  salt,  and  that 
will  recover  all  the  damage  the  rain  may  have  done." 

Another  writer  says,  "Lucerne  should  be  cut  when  the 
stalks  are  about  fifteen  or  sixteen  inches  high,  on  an  aver- 
age; he  cut  it  in  three  years,  sixteen  times,  or  more  than 
five  times  a  year;  by  the  9th  of  April,  one  year,  some  of 
the  stalks  were  seventeen  inches  high,  when  no  field  in  the 
neighborhood  had  grass  more  than  four  inches  high.  The 
same  Lucerne  was  cut  twice  before  any  hay-making  began 
in  its  neighbourhood." 

Mr.  Miller,  who  appears  to  have  cultivated  Lucerne  with 
great  success,  says,  that  you  may  cut  it  in  the  month  of 
August,  the  first  year,  or  year  of  sowing,  and  feed  it  after- 
wards with  sheep.  It  will  bear  three  cuttings  and  two 
feedings  in  a  season.  Of  its  capability  of  resisting  cold 
he  gives  the  following  proof: — In  the  very  cold  winter  of 
1738-9,  he  had  some  roots  of  Lucerne  dug  up  and  laid  upon 
the  surface  from  October  to  March,  when  he  planted  them, 


30  CULTIVATION    OF    LUCERNE. 

and  they  shot  out  vigorously  soon  after;  wet  however  will 
destroy  the  roots.  Mr.  IMiller  says,  that  the  most  profita- 
ble mode  of  consuming  Lucerne,  is  to  cut  and  give  it  as 
green  fodder.  This  is  the  celebrated  Philip  Miller,  author 
of  the  Gardener's  Diet. :  the  most  respectable  authority 
that  could  be  quoted.  Mr.  Chateauvieux  of  Switzerland, 
by  planting  Lucerne  in  rows  obtained  at  the  rate  of  seven 
tons  and  two-thirds  of  hay  from  an  acre,  in  five  crops  in 
one  season.  Switzerland  is  a  cold  country.  Mr.  Chateau- 
vieux found,  that  when  the  thermometer  fell  to  zero  the 
Lucerne  did  not  suficr.  Mr.  John  Wynn  Baker  of  Ire- 
land, appears  to  have  been  very  successful  in  the  culture 
of  Lucerne.  He  says,  that  in  order  to  ascertain  how  far 
Lucerne  may  be  worth  the  farmer's  attention,  he  made  an 
experiment  with  an  horse,  to  see  how  much  Lucerne  he 
would  eat,  so  as  to  learn  how  many  horses  an  acre  of  Lu- 
cerne would  support.  The  horse  he  chose  was  a  large 
one,  and  had  been  ploughing  all  day  without  food,  and  he 
eat  forty-nine  pounds  of  Lucerne  in  the  course  of  the 
night.  Lucerne  he  says  at  four  cuttings  will  yield  35840 
pounds  to  an  acre,  [weighed  green  no  doubt.]  This  is  a 
low  calculation  ;  an  acre  therefore  will  maintain  at  the  rate 
of  49  pounds  per  day  to  each,  5  horses  for  20  weeks. 
No  natural  pasture  can  do  any  thing  like  this ;  add  to  this, 
the  profit  of  making  dung  all  summer. 

Mr.  Duhamel,  the  famous  naturalist,  gives  his  testimony 
also  in  favor  of  Lucerne ;  he  had  forty  tons  of  Lucerne 
(green)  upon  an  English  acre,  which  he  computes  at  ten 
tons  of  hay.  By  this  remark  it  would  seem  that  he  cut  it 
while  in  blossom,  for  Lucerne  if  cut  before  it  flowers,  loses 
■80  percent,  and  therefore  his  40  tons  would  only  have  pro- 
duced eight  of  cured  hay.  We  could  much  extend  these 
extracts,  but  we  have  said  enough  to  induce  those,  who  are 
convinced  as  we  are  by  experiment,  that  it  is  suited  to  our 
climate,  to  try  it  extensively. 


TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE.  31 

EXTRACTS  FROM  A  TREATISE  ON  HORTICULTURE. 

By  Joseph  Hayward,  Gent.:    London,  1818. 

Although  much  has  been  written  on  the  subjects  of  the 
following  extracts,  yet  the  views  presented  by  Mr.  Hay- 
ward  are  ingenious,  and  may  be  gratifying  to  many  read- 
ers. The  Aphis  is  to  some  plants,  and  in  some  seasons 
most  pernicious,  and  the  editors  of  this  Journal  can  assert, 
that  constant  washing  with  strong  soap  suds,  and  even  fu- 
migation will  sometimes  fail  to  destroy  them.  We  have 
washed  a  particular  rose-bush  once  a  Vv'eek  for  a  month, 
with  strong  suds  thrown  on  with  great  force  by  a  garden 
engine,  without  full  success.  Several  young  apple  trees 
which  stood  in  a  remote  spot  in  a  distant  field,  had  every 
shoot  wholly  destroyed  by  them.  They  prevail  most  in 
the  severity  of  the  drought;  the  reason  of  which  seems  to 
be,  that  in  wet  weather,  particularly  if  cold,  they  are  be- 
numbed, and  probably  cease  to  feed  and  propagate.  That 
part  of  the  extracts  which  relates  to  compositions  for 
wounds  of  trees,  is  exceedingly  amusing  to  us,  who  have 
always  laughed  at  these  nostrums,  as  much  as  at  quack 
medicines.  The  truth  is,  that  there  are  many  different 
compositions  radically  or  essentially  different,  each  of 
which  may  answer  equally  well.  Any  compost  which  will 
adhere  and  exclude  the  rain  and  air  from  the  wound,  and 
also  prevent  the  exudation  of  the  sap,  will  answer  all  the 
desired  purposes.  We  have  found  a  mixture  of  tar,  rosin, 
and  yellow  ochre  or  Spanish  brown  the  best  we  have  ever 
used,  but  it  should  be  so  stiff"  as  not  to  melt  and  run  down 
the  limb.  We  had  some  prejudices  against  terebinthine, 
or  tarry  substances,  from  a  fear,  that  they  would  injure  the 
tree,  but  have  found  no  ill  effect  in  practice.  Professor  Peck, 
recommended  cheese  as  an  excellent  substance  for  stopping 
the  flow  of  SvTp  in  grapes;  we  have  often  experienced  its 
good  effects.  From  some  unknown  cause,  possibly  from  their 
being  trimmed  too  late,  say  in  December,  all  the  vines  in 


32  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE. 

a  grapery  this  spring  began  to  bleed,  and  to  such  an  extent 
as  to  threaten  their  destruction,  indeed,  so  as  actually  to 
kill  some  branches ;  as  the  case  was  pressing,  and  no 
cheese  at  hand,  spermaceti  was  applied  with  perfect  suc- 
cess. 

"  Although  those  insects  and  the  caterpillar  tribes  are  very 
destructive,  they  are  not  so  great  a  nuisance  to  the  peach 
and  nectarine  tree  as  the  aphis,  or  plant  louse;  the  sudden 
appearance  and  rapid  increase  of  these  insects,  and  which 
are  called  blights,  most  probably  gave  rise  to  the  belief  that 
they  were  conveyed  by  the  wind  ;  at  any  rate,  with  a  su- 
perficial observer,  this  may  strengthen  the  idea ;  and  as 
with  such  an  impression  it  would  be  difficult  to  induce  a 
person  to  adopt  the  only  means  which  1  conceive  can  ope- 
rate as  a  remedy,  I  shall  give  the  following  extract  from 
the  Encyclopedia  Britannica. 

"  '  The  extraordinary  nature  of  these  insects  have  for 
some  time  past  justly  excited  the  wonder  and  attention  of 
naturalists.  They  were  long  ranked  among  the  animals 
which  had  been  classed  with  the  true  androgynes,  spoken 
of  by  M.  Breyniers,  for  never  having  been  catched  copu- 
lating, it  was  hastily  concluded  that  they  multiplied  with- 
out copulation  ;  this,  however,  was  but  a  doubt,  or  at  best 
a  mere  surmise  ;  but  this  surmise  was  believed  and  adopted 
by  Mr.  Reamur,  and  though  he  supported  it  by  some  ob- 
servations peculiar  to  himself,  the  question  remained  still 
undecided,  till  M.  Bonnett  seemed  to  have  cleared  it  up  in 
the  affirmative,  by  taking  and  shutting  up  a  young  aphis, 
at  the  instant  of  its  birth,  in  the  most  perfect  solitude,  which 
yet  brought  forth  in  his  sight  95  young  ones.  The  same 
experiment  being  made  on  one  of  the  individuals  of  this 
family,  that  had  been  tried  with  its  chief,  the  new  hermit 
soon  multiplied  like  its  parent,  and  one  of  this  third  genera- 
tion, in  like  manner  brought  up  in  solitude,  proved  no  less 
fruitful  than  the  former ;  repeated  experiments  in  this  res- 
pect, as  far  a?  the  fifth  or  sixth  generation,  all  uniformly 


TREATISE   ON   HORTICULTURE.  33 

presenting  the  observer  with  fecund  virgins,  were  communi- 
cated to  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sciences,  when  an  unfore- 
seen and  very  strange  suspicion,  imparted  by  Mr.  Trembley 
to  M.  Bonnett,  engaged  him  anew  in  a  series  of  still  more 
painful  experiments  than  the  foregoing.  In  a  letter  which 
that  celebrated  observer  wrote  to  him  from  the  Hague,  the 
27th  January,  1741,  he  thus  expresses  himself : — '  I  formed, 
since  the  month  of  November,  the  design  of  rearing  several 
generations  of  pucerons,  (aphides)  in  order  to  see  if  they 
would  all  equally  bring  forth  young.  In  cases  so  remote 
from  usual  circumstances,  it  is  allowed  to  try  all  sorts  of 
means,  and  I  argued  with  myself,  who  knows  but  that  one 
copulation  may  serve  for  several  generations.' — This  who 
knows,  to  be  sure,  was  next  to  avouching  nothing,  but  as  it 
came  from  Mr.  Trembley,  it  was  sufficient  to  persuade  M. 
Bonnett  that  he  had  not  gone  far  enough  in  his  investiga- 
tion. If  the  fecundity  of  aphides  was  owing  to  the  secret 
copulation  suggested  by  Mr.  Trembley,  this  copulation 
served  at  least  five  or  more  successive  generations.  M. 
Bonnett,  therefore,  reared  to  the  amount  of  the  tenth  gene- 
ration of  solii^r  '  aphides,  and  had  the  patience  to  keep  an 
account  of  the  days  and  hours  of  the  births  of  each  genera- 
tion. In  short,  it  was  discovered,  that  they  really  are 
distinguished  by  sexes ;  that  there  are  males  and  females 
amongst  them,  whose  amours  are  the  least  equivocal  of  any 
in  the  world ;  that  the  males  are  produced  only  in  the  tenth 
generation,  and  are  but  few  in  number;  that  these  soon 
arriving  at  their  full  growth,  copulate  with  the  females; 
that  the  virtue  of  this  copulation  serves  for  ten  generations ; 
that  all  these  generations,  except  the  first,  (from  the  fecun- 
dated eggs)  are  produced  viviparous,  and  all  the  individuals 
are  females,  except  those  of  the  last  generation,  among 
whom,  as  we  have  already  observed,  some  males  make 
their  appearance,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  fresh  series. 
These  circumstances  have  been  confirmed  by  other  natu- 
ralists :  in  particular  we  have  a  curious  and  accurate  detail 
Vol.  X.  5 


34.  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE. 

of  them  by  Dr.  Richardson,  of  Rippon,in  the  Philosophical 
Transactions,"  an  extract  of  which  is  given  in  the  Ency- 
clopedia. 

Although  to  a  common  observer,  or  gardener,  the  powers 
of  investigation,  as  well  as  patient  attention  necessary  to 
complete  such  experiments,  may  appear  too  great  for  them 
to  attempt  a  demonstration,  and  perhaps  too  much  to  be 
credited  by  some,  I  believe  none  of  them  will  be  able  to 
adduce  a  proof  to  the  contrary,  of  what  is  here  stated. 

It  can  scarcely  have  escaped  the  observation  of  any  at- 
tentive gardener,  that  during  the  lirst  part  and  middle  of 
summer,  those  insects  increase  rapidly  on  the  plants  where 
they  first  appear  ;  and  that  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer, 
a  winged  and  solitary  aphis,  resembling  a  small  black  fly, 
is  seen  at  the  foot  of  the  leaf  stalk  of  the  peach  tree,  where 
no  doubt  it  deposits  its  egg  on  or  under  the  covering  of  the 
young  bud,  and  as  this  increases,  it  completely  shields  the 
egg  during  winter,  and  which,  (as  has  been  noticed  of  some 
of  the  caterpillar  tribe)  on  the  opening  of  the  bud  in  spring, 
is  exposed  to  the  sun  and  hatched. 

On  those  parts  the  aphis  is  always  found  to  make  its  first 
appearance  on  the  peach  tree,  in  the  spring ;  and  at  this 
time,  although  animated,  it  is  scarcely  perceptible  to  the 
naked  eye  ;  its  appearance  is  that  of  a  small  black  speck, 
but  if  closely  observed  it  will  be  seen  to  increase  very  fast 
in  size,  and  before  the  blossoms  are  scarcely  opened,  to 
have  produced  another  generation,  and  those  proceed  to 
multiply  their  numbers  in  the  same  rapid  manner. 

The  important  fact,  therefore,  that  these  creatures,  like 
all  others,  are  the  offspring  of  parents,  and  engendered  and 
bred  on  the  place  assigned  for  them,  cannot  be  doubted, 
and  their  extreme  rapidity  of  increase  can  only  be  prevent- 
ed by  an  active  attention,  and  application  of  some  effective 
means  of  destruction,  and  which  I  shall  describe. 

Washing,  brushing,  and  fumigation,  are  the  methods 
generally  recommended,  and  in  use,  but  these  are  seldom 


«  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE.  35 

eflicacious  ;  for  however  minute  those  offspring  of  the  great 
Creator,  they  are  not  without  the  instinct  and  power  of 
protecting  and  defending  themselves  against  common  an- 
noyance. 

The  eg^  in  the  first  place  is  deposited  so  intimately  with 
the  embrj^o  bud,  that  the  existence  of  the  one  depends  on 
the  other,  therefore  liquids,  applied  in  a  natural  manner, 
cannot  reach  them,  and  if  more  forcible  means  are  used, 
the  bud  is  more  readily  destroyed  than  the  egg. 

When  the  insect  bursts  into  life,  it  possesses  the  means 
of  curling  the  leaf,  or  raising  the  sap  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
shield  and  protect  itself,  and  a  current  of  water  or  air,  un- 
less applied  with  a  force  sufficient  to  destroy  the  object  of 
our  care,  the  bud,  it  cannot  be  made  effectual. 

But  although  water,  smoke,  or  vapour,  cannot  be  applied 
so  as  to  come  in  contact  with  the  insects,  in  their  differently 
exposed  haunts,  a  fine  light  powder,  like  drifted  snow,  will 
find  its  way  into  their  most  secluded  retreats. 

Tobacco  dried  is  poisonous  to  most  insects,  and  is  so  ob- 
noxious to  the  aphis,  that  whenever  it  comes  in  contact  with 
them,  they  immediately  shift  their  quarters  or  die;  and 
therefore  tobacco  in  a  fine  dry  powder,  or  common  snuff, 
blown  among  the  leaves,  will  find  its  way  into  every  fold 
and  corner,  and  by  proper  and  repeated  application,  will 
seldom  fail  to  effect  a  complete  extirpation. 

The  best  and  most  effectual  mode  of  applying  snuff,  I 
have  found  to  be  by  the  spiral  powder-bellows,  or  puff,  an 
apparatus  which  was  generally  used  by  the  hair  dressers 
half  a  century  back. 

It  must  be  observed,  that  as  the  eggs  escape  unhurt,  they 
•will  after  the  destruction  of  one  generation  produce  another ; 
it  will  therefore  be  necessary  occasionally  to  repeat  the 
application,  and  although  the  tobacco  or  snuff  of  itself  will 
not  injure  the  most  tender  bud  or  leaf,  yet  when  left  with 
the  insects,  and  their  exuvis,  it  may  form  a  kind  of  incrus- 
tation, and  obstruct  its  growth  ;  it  is  therefore  best  to  give 


36  TREATISE   ON    HORTICULTURE.  ^ 

the  trees  a  good  washing,  two  or  three  days  after  applying 
the  powder. 

This  application  should  not  only  be  adopted  as  a  cure, 
but  as  a  preventive ;  therefore  during  the  latter  summer 
months,  the  powder  should  be  lightly  thrown  on  the  young 
branches,  particularly  the  points  of  the  leading  shoots,  and 
it  will  prevent  the  moving  aphis  from  distant  quarters,  from 
fixing  there  and  forming  colonies,  or  of  depositing  the  eggs 
for  the  future  year  ;  indeed,  if  an  aphis  remains  undisturbed 
a  short  time  only,  its  bite  will  prove  so  venomous  as  to  ob- 
struct the  future  growth  of  the  branches,  and  to  prevent 
this  in  the  leading  branches  is  of  the  utmost  importance. 

The  honey-dew,  or  excrement  of  the  aphis,  often  proves 
injurious  to  trees,  this  should  therefore  be  washed  off, 
"Which  may  easily  be  done  by  throwing  soap-suds  on  and 
against  the  leaves,  but  this  should  afterwards  be  washed 
off  with  clean  water ;  for  when  the  soap  is  suffered  to  dry 
on  the  leaves,  it  proves  almost  as  injurious  as  the  honey- 
dew. 

On  the  subject  of  the  disease  and  decay  in  trees,  occa- 
sioned by  large  wounds  and  fractures,  it  may  be  supposed 
that  enough  has  been  said  by  Messrs.  Forsyth  and  Knight, 
to  lead  to  a  proper  understanding  and  management;  but  I 
am  inclined  to  believe,  that  the  public  have  not  been  so 
much  benefited  by  the  discovery  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  as  he 
had  given  reason  to  expect,  and  even  in  cases  where  it 
might  have  been  beneficial,  it  has  not  been  much  attended 
to ;  and  this  I  think  has  been  chiefly  occasioned  by  both 
his  and  Mr.  Knight's  having  said  more  than  correct  obser- 
vation and  experience  could  warrant, 

I  consider  it  useless  to  enter  into  a  minute  examination 
of  the  arguments  of  those  gentlemen,  for  or  against  the 
composition  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  and  its  effects,  and  shall  there- 
fore select  one  or  two  short  passages  only,  from  the  works 
of  each,  by  way  of  comparison  and  a  ground  of  judgment. 

Forsyth  says,"  In  the  course  of  qciore  than  thirty  years' 


TREATISE   ON    HORTICULTURE.  ST 

practice,  in  cultivating,  pruning,  and  keeping  of  garden 
fruit  trees,  I  have  observed,  that  from  natural  causes,  acci- 
dents, and  unskilful  management,  they  were  subject  to 
injuries  of  different  kinds,  which  always  diminished  their 
fertility,  and  frequently  rendered  them  wholly  unproduc- 
tive. All  trees  that  bear  stone  fruit,  are  liable  to  emit  a 
gum,  which  by  producing  a  canker  proves  fatal  to  the 
health  and  vegetation  of  the  trees.  Most  forest  trees  are 
also  liable  to  what  is  called  a  bleeding,  which  proceeds 
from  any  injuries  that  obstruct  the  circulation  of  the  juices, 
of  those  which  suffer  from  bad  management  or  accidents ; 
some  are  injured  by  unskilful  pruning,  and  lopping  at  im- 
proper seasons  of  the  year,  and  others,  by  the  violence  of 
high  winds,  having  boughs  or  limbs  torn  fFom  their  bodies, 
which  being  left  in  that  state,  exposed  to  all  the  inclemency 
of  hard  frosts,  are  often  cracked  or  rent  in  the  wood  ;  or 
from  heavy  and  soaking  rains,  the  wounds  imbibe  so  large 
a  quantity  of  wet  and  moisture,  as  by  causing  a  fermenta- 
tion with  the  natural  juices,  brings  on  disease,  and  in  time 
destroys  the  health  and  vegetation  of  the  tree.  These 
among  other  causes  tend  to  produce  decay  and  barrenness 
in  fruit  trees,  as  well  as  defects  in  timber,  to  the  great  loss 
of  the  public  in  general,  as  well  as  essential  injury  to  the 
individual  proprietor." 

So  far  these  remarks  are  just ;  he  proceeds,  "  To  remove 
those  evils,  and  to  prevent  the  ill  consequences  arising  from 
the  causes  already  described,  I  submit  to  the  experience  of 
the  public,  a  remedy  discovered  by  myself,  which  has  been 
applied  with  never  failing  success  to  all  kinds  of  fruit  trees, 
and  has  not  only  prevented  further  decay,  but  actually  re- 
stored vegetation,  and  increased  fruitfulness,  even  in  such 
as  were  apparently  barren  and  decayed ;  it  has  produced 
also  a  similar  effect  on  forest  trees,  by  restoring  them  to 
soundness  of  timber,  and  healthful  vegetation,  and  covering 
as  it  were  visible  nakedness,  and  increasing  decay,  with 
fresh  and  vigorous  foliage.     This  ren^edy  is  a  composition, 


38  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE. 

formerly  applied  in  the  form  of  a  plaster,  but  now  in  a 
liquid  state,  and  laid  over  the  wounded  or  injured  part  of 
the  tree,  with  a  painter's  brush  :  it  is  of  a  soft  and  healing 
nature,  possesses  an  absorbent  and  adhesive  quality,  and  by 
resisting  the  force  of  washing  rains,  the  contraction  of  nip- 
ping frosts,  and  the  effects  of  a  warm  sun  or  drying  winds, 
excludes  the  pernicious  influence  of  a  changeable  atmo- 
sphere. The  discovery  of  it  is  the  result  of  much  reflection 
and  study  during  a  long  course  of  years,  and  of  a  great 
variety  of  experiments,  made  at  a  very  considerable  ex- 
pense, to  ascertain  the  efficacious  power  of  the  application, 
nor  shall  I  hesitate  a  moment  to  declare  my  firm  belief,  that 
whenever  it  shall  be  properly  applied  by  the  proprietors 
of  gardens,  orchards,  and  woods,  it  will  be  productive  of  all 
the  advantage  that  can  be  derived  from  restoring,  as  well 
as  preserving  vigour  and  fertility  in  all  kinds  of  fruit  trees, 
and  also  for  preventing  decay,  and  promoting  health  and 
sound  timber  in  every  species  of  timber  trees,  &c." 

The  first  composition  is  given  thus: 

"Take  one  bushel  of  fresh  cow  dung,  half  a  bushel  of 
lime  rubbish  of  old  buildings  (that  from  the  ceilings  of 
rooms  is  preferable)  half  a  bushel  of  wood  ashes,  and  a 
sixteenth  part  of  a  bushel  of  pit  or  river  sand,  the  three  last 
articles  are  to  be  sifted  fine  before  they  are  mixed  ;  then 
work  them  well  with  a  spade,  and  afterwards  with  a  wood- 
en beater  until  the  stuff  is  verj"  smooth,  like  fine  plaster, 
used  for  the  ceilings  of  rooms ;  the  composition  being  thus 
made,  care  must  be  taken  to  prepare  the  tree  properly  for 
its  application,  by  cutting  away  all  the  dead,  decaj'cd,  and 
injured  part,  till  you  come  to  the  fresh  sound  wood,  leaving 
the  surface  of  the  wood  very  smooth  and  rounding  off  the 
edges  of  the  bark  with  a  draw  knife,  or  other  instrument 
perfectly  smooth,  which  must  be  particularly  attended  to; 
then  lay  on  the  plaster,  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  thick, 
all  pver  the  part  where  the  wood  or  bark  has  been  so  cut 
away,  finishing  off  the  edges  as  thin  as  possible;  then  take 


TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE.  39 

a  quantity  of  dry  powder  of  wood  ashes,  mixed  witii  a  sixth 
part  of  the  same  quantity  of  the  ashes  of  burnt  bones,  put 
it  into  a  tin  box  with  holes  in  the  top,  and  shake  the  pow- 
der on  the  surface  of  the  plaster  till  the  whole  is  covered 
ovfer  with  it,  letting  it  remain  for  half  an  hour  to  absorb  the 
moisture ;  then  apply  more  powder,  rubbing  it  on  gently 
with  the  hand,  and  repeating  the  application  of  the  powder 
till  the  w'hole  plaster  becomes  a  dry  smooth  surface.  All 
trees  cut  down  near  the  ground  should  have  the  surface 
made  quite  smooth,  rounding  it  off  in  a  small  degree  as  be- 
fore mentioned ;  and  the  dry  powder,  directed  to  be  used 
afterwards,  should  have  an  equal  quantity  of  powder  of 
alabaster  mixed  with  it,  in  order  the  better  to  resist  the 
drippings  of  trees  and  rains." 

To  the  foregoing  directions  for  making  ajid  applying  the 
composition,  it  is  necessary  to  add  the  following : 

"  As  the  best  way  of  using  the  composition  is  found  by  ex- 
perience to  be  in  a  liquid  state,  it  must  therefore  be  reduced 
to  the  consistence  of  pretty  thick  paint,  by  mixing  it  up  with 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  urine  and  soap-sud?,  anrd  laid  on  with 
a  painting  brush.  The  powder  of  wood-ashes  and  burnt 
bones  is  to  be  applied  as  before  directed,  patting  it  down 
with  the  hand. 

When  trees  are  become  hollow,  you  must  scoop  out  all 
the  rotten,  loose,  and  dead  parts  of  the  trunk  till  you  come 
to  the  solid  wood,  leaving  the  surface  smooth ;  then  cover 
the  hollow,  and  every  part  where  the  canker  has  been  cut 
out,  or  branches  lopped  off,  with  the  composition ;  and  as 
the  edges  grow,  take  care  not  to  let  the  new  wood  come  in 
contact  with  the  dead,  part  of  which  it  may  sometimes  be 
necessary  to  leave,  but  cut  out  the  old  dead  wood  as  the 
new  advances,  keeping  a  hollow  between  them  to  allow  the 
new  wood  room  to  extend  itself,  and  thereby  fill  up  the  cavi- 
ty, which  it  will  do  in  time,  so  as  to  make,  as  it  were,  a  new 
tree.  If  the  cavity  be  large,  you  may  cut  away  as  much 
at  one  operation  as  will  be  suflicient  for  three  years;  but 


40  TREATISE    ON   HORTICULTURE. 

in  this  you  are  to  be  guided  by  the  size  of  the  wound  and 
other  circumstances.  When  the  new  wood,  advancing  from 
both  sides  of  the  wound,  has  almost  met,  cut  off  the  bark 
from  both  edges  that  the  solid  wood  may  join,  which,  if 
properly  managed,  it  will  do,  leaving  only  a  slight  seam"  on 
the  back." 

On  the  effect  of  this  composition,  he  says, 

"  The  first  trials  of  its  efficacy  were  made  in  some  very 
large  and  ancient  elms,  many  of  which  were  in  a  most  de- 
cayed state,  having  all  their  upper  parts  broken  by  high 
winds  from  their  trunks,  which  were  withal  so  hollow  and 
decayed,  that  a  small  portion  alone  of  bark  remained  alive 
and  sound ;  of  these  trees  I  cut  away  at  first  a  part  only  of 
the  rotten  stuff  from  the  hollow  of  the  tree,  and  then  applied 
the  plaster  to  the  place  where  the  operation  had  been  per- 
formed by  way  of  internal  coat  of  the  composition.  In  a 
short  time,  however,  the  efforts  of  Nature,  with  a  renovated 
flow  of  the  juices,  were  clearly  discernible  in  their  forma- 
tion of  the  new  wood,  uniting  zoith  and  swelling  as  it  were 
from  the  old,  until  it  became  a  strong  support  to  that  part 
of  the  tree  where  the  composition  had  been  applied  ;  I  then 
cut  away  more  of  the  rotten  wood  from  the  inside,  apply- 
ing the  plaster  in  the  same  manner  with  the  same  good 
effects,  and  continued  to  use  the  knife  in  proportion  to  the 
acquisition  of  new  wood ;  so  that  from  the  tops  of  these  de- 
cayed and  naked  trunks,  stems  have  actually  grown  of  about 
thirty  feet  high  in  the  course  of  six  or  seven  years  from  the  first 
application  of  the  composition,  an  incontrovertible  proof  of  its 
good  effects  in  restoring  decayed  vegetation. 

"  The  acidity  or  corrosive  quality  of  the  juice  of  oak 
trees,  when  obstructed  in  their  circulation,  from  any  of  the 
causes  already  mentioned,  and  fermenting  with  the  wet  and 
moisture  imbibed  by  the  wounds  from  the  atmosphere,  will 
bring  on  disease  and  promote  decay ;  for,  notwithstanding 
the  hard  texture  of  the  oak,  when  once  the  principles  of 
decay  begin  to  operate,  the  acrimonious  juices  feed  the  dis- 


TREATISE   ON    HORTICULTURE.  41 

ease,  and  accelerate  its  progress  as  much,  perhaps,  as  in 
trees  of  a  softer  quality  and  texture  ;  but  when  the  diseased 
or  injured  part  is  entirely  cut  away  to  the  sound  fresh 
wood,  and  the  composition  properly  laid  on,  as  perfect  a 
cure  has  been  made  as  1  have  already  related  in  the  reco- 
very of  elm  trees." 

He  further  says, 

"  A  lime  tree  about  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  whose 
trunk  was  decayed  and  hollow  from  top  to  bottom,  to 
which,  after  cutting  out  the  decayed  wood,  I  had  applied 
the  composition,  about  sixteen  years  ago,  was  cut  down  last 
year,  on  purpose  to  examine  the  progress  it  had  made  in 
the  interior  part,  and  was  found  entirely  filled  up  with  new 
sound  wood,  which  had  incorporated  with  what  little  old  wood 
remained  when  I  first  took  it  in  hand.^^  And  again,  "  When 
the  wounds  in  the  fruit  trees  are  so  large  as  not  to  heal  up 
in  the  course  of  a  twelvemonth,  I  renew  the  composition 
annually,  which  on  its  application  invigorates  the  trees,  and 
seems  to  have  the  same  effect  on  them  as  a  top  dressing  of  dung 
has  on  land^ 

Mr.  Knight,  remarking  on  Mr.  Forsyth,  says, 

"  I  had  however  previously  examined  many  trees,  to 
which  Mr.  Fors^yth  had  applied  his  composition,  in  Ken- 
sington-gardens, and  had  observed  that  it  had  not,  in  any 
one  instance,  produced  the  effects  ascribed  to  it.''"' 

And,  "  the  examination  of  the  fruit  trees  in  his  Majesty's 
gardens  there,  perfectly  satisfied  me  of  the  total  inutility  of 
Mr.  Forsyth''s  composition.''^ 

Again,  "  I  had  invariably  answered  that  I  had  attentively 
examined  the  effect  of  Mr.  Forsyth's  composition,  when 
applied  to  trees  of  different  species  ;  and  that  his  assertions 
respecting  it  zoere  totally  unfounded.^'' 

Now,  in  these  strong  and  pointed  assertions,  I  cannot  but 
think  Mr.  Knight  has  gone  too  far ;  most  people  know  that 
an  exposure  of  wood  to  the  effect  of  wind  and  wet,  or  the 
general  change  of  weather,  facilitates  its  decay,  and  that  a 

Vol.  X.  6 


42  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE. 

covering  of  paint,  &c.  retards  and  prevents  it ;  at  any  rate 
it  preserves  the  surface  or  exterior  ;  and  this  being  the  case 
with  v^rood  cut  and  dried,  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  but,  that 
as  Forsyth  says,  when  wounds  in  growing  trees  imbibe  a 
large  quantity  of  wet  and  moisture,  it  causes  a  fermentation 
with  the  natural  juices,  which  brings  on  disease  and  decay, 
and  in  time  destroys  the  health  and  vegetation  of  the  tree ; 
and  therefore  any  covering  that  can  be  applied  to  defend 
such  wounds  against  these  injuries,  must  operate  as  a  pre- 
servative, and  promote  the  health  and  natural  growth  of  the 
tree. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  wood  of  trees  is  formed  by  an- 
nual layers  of  sap,  which  first  encircles  the  pith,  and  then 
by  protruding  itself  between  the  bark,  which  proportionally 
expands,  and  the  last  year's  layer  or  circle  of  wood,  it  gra- 
dually concretes  or  becomes  wood  :  this  is  continued  during 
the  summer,  and  forms  the  periodical  addition. 

Whenever  a  tree  is  wounded  by  a  part  of  the  bark  being 
removed,  or  a  limb  or  branch  amputated,  the  sap  pushes 
out  all  around  the  wound  during  the  season  of  its  flow,  and 
annually  extends  itself,  by  sliding  over  the  old  surface  until 
it  meets,  when,  if  not  obstructed,  it  unites  ;  and  afterwards 
the  annual  increase,  or  layer  of  wood  is  formed,  in  uninter- 
rupted circles,  the  same  as  if  no  wound  had  been  made. 

As  the  flow  of  sap  over  an  exposed  wound  may  be  com- 
pared to  that  of  melted  tallow  poured  on  a  surface,  it  is 
obvious  that  a  rugged  surface  must  very  much  retard,  if  not 
wholly  prevent,  its  advance. 

In  this  view  Blr.  Forsyth's  practice  of  cutting  away  the 
obstructing  dead  wood  in  hollow  trees  will  appear  rational 
and  proper ;  and  when,  by  decay,  the  surface  of  a  wound 
is  sunk  or  hollowed,  the  extension  of  the  sap  is  diverted, 
and  prevented  meeting  and  joining ;  and  by  its  projecting 
above  the  wound  and  round,  it  forms  a  lodgment  for  the 
rain,  and  becomes  in  consequence  a  vehicle  of  putrefaction, 
which  extends  itself  through  the  tree. 


TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE.  43 

If  those  observations  are  correct,  although  we  may  not 
approve  the  idea  of  his  composition  operating  as  a  stimu- 
lant, and  producing  the  effects  on  a  tree  which  a  top  dress- 
ing of  dung  does  on  land,  or  of  effecting  the  incorporation 
of  new  wood  with  the  old,  we  may  give  Mr.  Forsyth  the 
credit  of  a  remedy  in  its  application,  for  many  injuries 
which  Nature,  when  left  to  herself,  is  inevitably  exposed 
to,  particularly  internal  decay  from  external  exposure  ;  but, 
notwithstanding  we  admit  the  efficiency  of  the  composition 
in  this  respect,  we  may  consider  it  as  too  troublesome  and 
complicated  in  its  preparation,  and  tedious  and  filthy  in  its 
application,  to  become  of  extensive  use  ;  and  adopting  Hitt's 
recommendation,  of  applying  soot  to  the  diseased  part  of 
apricots,  and  observing  its  effects,  it  will  readily  occur  that 
as  soot,  like  charcoal,  is  a  powerful  antiseptic  and  a  pre- 
ventive of  the  ravages  of  insects,  it  might,  when  mixed  with 
oil,  and  rubbed  over  a  wound,  prove^  also  a  preservative 
against  putrefaction  and  the  injuries  of  the  weather. 

I  have  long  since  adopted  this  application,  and  found  it 
completely  efficacious ;  a  quantity  may  at  all  times  be  rea- 
dily collected  and  mixed  up,  so  as  to  be  laid  on,  like  thick 
paint,  with  a  brush,  or  rubbed  over  wdth  a  bit  of  cloth  ;  and 
as  very  large  wounds  will  require  some  years  to  enable  the 
young  wood  to  close  over  them,  such  parts  should  be  cover- 
ed or  painted  a  second  or  a  third  time,  at  different  periods, 
from  six  to  twelve  months,  as  the  rain  would  otherwise  find 
its  way  into  the  little  clefts,  occasioned  by  the  contraction 
of  the  drying  wood;  and  if  drying  oil,  such  as  linseed,  be 
used,  it  will  prove  more  lasting  and  perfect  in  its  effects. 

By  these  means,  disease  and  rottenness  will  be  prevented  ; 
the  old  wood  will  continue  sound  and  hard,  and  the  surface 
being  preserved  smooth,  the  new  wood  will  form  close  upon 
the  old  wood,  and  consequently  wounds  thus  treated  will 
never  prove  so  detrimental  to  timber  as  when  they  are  left 
exposed. 

It  might  be  observed  that  the  soot,  thus  applied,  will  ad- 


44  TREATISE    ON    HORTICULTURE. 

here  to  the  surface,  and,  in  consequence,  the  new  and  old 
wood  cannot  unite  or  incorporate,  "  but  must  remain  per- 
fectly separate  and  distinct  from  each  other,  without  union 
or  adhesion  ;"  this,  no  doubt,  will  be  the  case ;  and,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Knight,  this  has  been  explained  by  Dr. 
Anderson,  as  all  the  effect  he  believed  to  be  produced  by 
Mr.  Forsyth's  composition,  and  all  that  he  or  Mr.  Forsyth 
meant  to  assert  it  had  produced. 

There  are,  no  doubt,  instances  within  the  scope  of  every 
one's  observation,  of  tall,  straight,  healthy  stems  growing 
upon  or  from  old  wounded  and  hollow  stunaps,  without  the 
aid  of  art ;  but  whenever  it  is  desired  to  encourage  and 
support  the  growth  of  trees  in  this  manner,  it  is,  as  Mr. 
Forsyth  observes,  more  effectually  done  by  reducing  all 
the  branches  to  one,  and  from  time  to  time  removing  all 
other  shoots  growing  from  the  old  trunk,  and  also  all  de- 
cayed or  rotten  wood,  and  applying  the  covering  recom- 
mended to  the  exposed  and  wounded  parts ;  this,  by 
excluding  the  air  and  moisture,  will  prevent  decay  and  the 
waste  of  sap  by  putrefaction,  and  the  future  growth  of  the 
tree  will  consequently  be  better  sustained." 


THE  SEASON. 


Mr.  Fessenden, — 1  certainly  should  not  select  the  present 
uncommon  season,  as  a  fit  one,  to  suspend  my  annual  ac- 
count of  the  progress  of  vegetation.  It  is  now  fourteen  years, 
since  I  first  published  such  a  register,  and  I  have  found  that 
it  has  excited  as  much  notice  as  a  thermoraetrical  journal. 
I  will  not  say  that  any  important  results,  any  great  aid  to 
cultivation  may  be  afforded  by  it, — neither  have  I  ever  yet 
seen  any  practical  benefit,  any  essential  aid  to  science  from 
thermometrical  registers ;  but  they  are  both  of  them  enter- 


REGISTER    OF   THE    SEASONS.  45 

taining.  When  the  thermometrical  register  shall  enable 
us  to  calculate  what  weather  we  shall  have  in  any  given 
space  of  time  in  future,  the  Journal  of  Flora,  (as  Linnasus 
called  it,)  may  enable  us  to  know  when  to  sow  our  seed 
with  security,  and  how  to  time  our  horticultural  labours. 
For  myself,  I  have  feeble  hopes  of  any  beneficial  result, 
other  than  a  very  agreeable  amusement. 

The  present  season  is  one  of  the  very  few  which  tran- 
scend or  surpass  the  ordinary  limits,  on  the  average  of  any 
ten  years  taken  together.  It  has  been  said  that  it  is  earlier 
than  any  year  since  1792.  This  is  not  strictly  true,  but  it 
is  true,  that  it  has  been  and  is  very  forward,  and  its  for- 
wardness may  be  traced  clearly  to  the  early  and  long  con- 
tinued covering  of  snow.  It  is  a  fact  within  my  own  know- 
ledge, that  plants  left  in  a  growing  state,  when  the  first  snow 
fell,  were  found  in  an  equally  flourishing  state,  when  the 
dissolution  of  the  snow,  some  months  afterwards,  left  them 
bare.  Clover  not  six  weeks  old  survived  the  winter,  ancj 
was  ready  to  start  as  the  snow  was  dissolved. 

REGISTER   OF   THE    SEASONS. 

Cherries  began  to  open  their  flowers, 

in  1813  -  -  May  10 

1815 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819 
18^0 
1821 
1822 
1323 
1824 
1825 
1826 
1827 


a 

10 

u 

6 

(( 

6 

(( 

18 

u 

6 

u 

2 

(( 

9 

Cl 

1 

C( 

7 

u 

1 

April 

23 

May 

4 

April 

21 

45  REGISTER    OF    THE    SEASONS. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  present  season  was,  as  it 
respects  the  opening  of  the  cherry  blossoms,  two  days  ear- 
lier than  in  any  year  during  the  last  fourteen, — and  earlier 
than  the  average  of  the  fourteen  years,  about  fourteen 
days. 

THE  OPENING  OF  THE  PEACH. 

I  shall  take  a  smaller  number  of  examples  of  the  other 
plants,  because  one  plant  in  effect  shows  correctly  the  true 
state  of  vegetation : 

Peaches  in  1815  began  to  open  May  10 
«  1816  "  "       5 

«  1825  "  April  25 

«  1827  "  "16 

Apples  opened  their  flowers, 

in  1813  -  -  May  23 

1815  -  -  "18 

1825  {the  earliest  year  befo7-e  the  present,  ^ 
for  fourteen  years)      > 
Siberian  crab  apple  began  to  flower  May  7         J 
Ditto,         in  1827  -  "     4 

Other  early  apples  opened, 

in  1825  -  -  May  8 

in  1827  -  -  May  4 

These  are  the  general  facts  as  to  large  plants  not  easily 
affected  by  casual  causes.  The  present  is  the  most  early 
season  known,  as  to  such  plants  within  the  last  fourteen. 
The  same  remark  may  be  made  as  to  herbaceous  plants. 
Asparagus  was  cut  in  the  same  bed  this  year  ten  days  ear- 
lier than  in  any  year  (except  1825)  since  the  register  was 
kept.  It  is  equally  true  as  to  grass.  It  is  from  ten  days  to 
a  fortnight  more  forward  than  usual.  We  have  however 
had  six  days  together  so  cold  that  asparagus  did  not  grow 
pne  inch  during  the  whole  period.     As  yet,  we  have  es? 


REGISTER    OF    THE    SEASONS.  47 

caped  frosts  except  one  severe  one.  This  does  not  appear 
to  have  affected  any  of  the  fruits.  Peaches  never  promised 
better.  Pears  do  not  generally  promise  well.  The  Jlpple 
blow  will  be  of  course  less  than  that  of  last  year  in  those 
sorts  of  trees  which  flower  biennially.  Those  which  had 
full  crops  of  Rhode  Island  greenings  and  Baldwins  last 
year,  will  not  have  a  single  blossom  this ;  for  this  reason 
we  prefer  the  Spitzenburg,  and  other  apples,  which  bear 
moderately  every  year. 

These  remarks  apply  only  to  my  own  garden. — No  man 
can  be  accurate,  as  to  the  condition  of  his  neighbours'  fruits. 
Generally  speaking,  however,  it  may  be  presumed  that  the 
state  of  one  garden  will  give  a  fair  average  of  the  whole. 

A  FARMER. 

N.  B.  I  have  said,  that  apple  trees  which  bear  moder- 
ately every  year,  are  preferable  to  those  which  bear  one 
year  very  full,  and  the  next  year  not  one  apple.  Too 
little  attention  is  paid  to  this  difference  by  the  farmer. 
The  apples  which  bear  constantly  are  the  Newtown  pippin, 
Prince's  pippin,  Esopus  Spitzenburg,  the  Russeting,  the 
Bell  flower,  &:c. — Kew-England  Farmer. 


Roxhury,   May  27,    1827. 

[Since  the  foregoing  statement  of  the  season  was  pub- 
lished, the  progress  of  vegetation  has  continued  with  the 
same  proportionable  advancement  over  ordinary  years. 
Grass  will  be  ready  for  the  scythe  at  least  seven  days  ear- 
lier than  usual,  that  is,  the  poa  pratensis,  Dutch  clover  and 
May  grass,  are  at  this  moment  seven  days  more  forward 
than  usual. 

The  sweet  scented  vernal  grass  is  nearly  out  of  flower, 
and  the  May  grass,  or  Aloepecurus  pratensis,  or  Meadow 
Foxtail  of  the  English,  and  also  the  Ribwort  or  field  plain- 


48  REGISTER   OF   THE   SEASONS. 

tain  (a  very  common  grass  in  many  soils)  are  now  in  the 
fullest  blow.  I  wish  I  could  add,  that  the  prospect  for 
Peaches  continued  to  be  as  good  as  when  the  above  re- 
marks were  made.  Young  peach  trees,  with  me,  have  un- 
dergone a  very  material  change;  the  flower  buds  have 
nearly  all  fallen,  in  some  instances  all.  The  foliage  has 
been  sickly,  and  the  ground  is  strewed  with  yellow  leaves; 
this  I  attribute  not  to  frost,  but  to  long  continued  rains  and 
cold  easterly  winds.  The  change  did  not  take  place  until 
three  weeks  after  the  only  frost  we  had,  and  every  part  of 
the  flower  and  shoots  continued  during  that  time  to  flourish 
as  well  as  ever.  Frost  does  not  turn  the  leaves  yellow, 
and  curl  them  up;  its  effects  are  seen  the  first  day,  if  at 
all; — as  soon  indeed  as  the  sun  strikes  upon  them.  Now 
whatever  destroyed  the  foliage  would  destroy  the  germ ; 
indeed  the  sickly  state  of  the  foliage  would  of  itself  prove 
fatal  to  the  fruit  in  its  embryo  state.  The  severe  frost 
with  me  was  on  the  28th  of  April,  and  my  peaches  went 
on  to  flourish  till  the  15th  of  May.  This  general  fall  of  the 
first  leaves,  and  in  some  cases  destruction  of  the  shoots 
themselves,  was  not  owing  to  disease  in  the  tree ;  mine 
have  no  worms  ;  are  not  gummy,  and  have  now  shot  anew 
with  great  vigour.  Nor  were  the  effects  of  the  cold  north- 
east storms  and  superabundance  of  rains  confined  to  the 
peach  ;  they  have  been  nearly  as  fatal  to  the  early  blowing 
cherries,  to  the  leaves  of  some  pear  trees,  to  asparagus 
while  that  weather  lasted  ;  and  the  same  cause  has  wholly 
destroyed  my  crop  of  gooseberries.  We  ought  not  to  com- 
plain however.  The  crops  of  grass  will  be  abundant;  pota- 
toes look  finely.  Strawberries  flourish  in  such  weather, 
and  will  be  very  fine.  Peaches  (notwithstanding  the  young 
trees  have  suffered)  will  yield  a  great  crop,  and  I  feel  per- 
suaded will  be  more  plenty  than  the  cultivators  will  wish. 

A  FARMER. 


ON   GRASSES   AND    OTHER   PLANTS.  49 

[We  are  induced  to  republish  the  following  extract  from  the  American  Far- 
mer, not  only  because  we  know  of  no  grass  superior  to  the  Meadow  Foxtail, 
but  on  account  of  the  very  curious  and  interesting  remark  as  to  the  compara- 
tive value  of  the  first  crop  and  aftermath  of  the  Meadow  Foxtail ;  it  is  stated 
that  the  value  of  the  after  crop  of  that  grass  is  superior  to  the  first  crop  a« 
4  to  3  :  and  the  superior  productiveness  or  value  of  the  after  crop  of  the 
sweet  scented  vernal  grass  to  its  first  crop  as  9  to  8.  This  may  account  for 
a  fact  stated  by  us  in  a  Review  of  Judge  Duel's  Essay  on  Grasses,  pub- 
lished in  our  last  number,  viz.:  the  great  productiveness  of  a  meadow,  in 
which  the  sweet  scented  vernal  grass,  and  the  Meadow  Foxtail  prevail. — The 
Meadow  Foxtail  has  never  been  cultivated  in  our  neighbourhood,  yet  it 
abounds  in  our  meadows  chiefly  on  the  outskirts  of  wet  lands;  it  delights 
in  a  soil  moist,  but  not  wet.  I  have  a  field  now  in  sight,  as  I  am  writing, 
in  which  seven-eighths  of  the  whole  herbage  is  the  May  grass,  or  Meadow 
Foxtail.  It  is  now  in  blossom,  and  will  be  cut  in  a  week  ;  it  will  yield 
two  abundant  crops  afterwards.  It  would  be  well  worth  sowing  in  moist 
land  not  too  wet ;  but  how  can  we  get  the  seeds?] 

ON  GRASSES  AND  OTHER  PLANTS. 

Extracts  from  G.    Slnclair''s  Hortus  Gramineus — with  occa- 
sional notes  and  observations,  hy  a  Correspondent. 

''^  AhOPEcvKvs  pratensis.  Meadow  fox-tail  grass.* 
^'•Specific  Character — Stem  erect,  smooth;  spike  some- 
what panicled ;  calyx-glumes  acute,  hairy,  combined  at 
the  base,  shorter  than  the  awn  of  the  corolla.  Sm.  Engl. 
Fl.  i.  p.  79.  Native  of  Britain  and  most  parts  of  Europe, 
from  Italy,  through  France,  Germany,  Holland,  to  Den- 
mark, Norway,  Sweden,  and  Russia. 

"  The  proportional  value  of  the  grass  of  the  latter-math 
to  that  at  the  time  of  flowering,  is  as  4  to  3 ;  and  the  crop, 
at  the  time  the  seed  is  ripe,  is  to  that  of  the  latter-math  as 
9  to  8. 

"  Experiments  clearly  shew  that  there  is  nearly  three- 
fourths  of  produce  greater  from  a  clayey  loam  than  from  a 
siliceous  sandy  soil,  and  that  the  grass  from  the  latter  soil  is 
of  comparatively  less  value,  in  the  proportion  of  3  to  2. 

*  This  must  be  carefully  distinguished  from  the  plant  usually  called  Fox-tail 
grass,  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States.  Our  Fox-tail  grass  is  the  Setaritt 
glauca,  or  Panieum  glaucum  of  the  botanists;  and  is  rathejf  a  worthlcse, 
weed-like  grass. 

Vol.  X.  7 


60  ON    GRASSES    AND    OTHER   PLANTS. 

The  culms  produced  on  the  sandy  soil  are  deficient  in  num- 
ber, and  in  every  respect  smaller  than  those  from  the  clay- 
ey loam  ;  which  satisfactorily  accounts  for  the  difference 
in  the  quantity  of  nutritive  matter  afforded  by  equal  quan- 
tities of  the  grass.  Tt  is  not  the  strength  and  rankness  of 
the  grass  that  indicates  the  fitness  of  the  soil  for  its  growth, 
but  the  number  and  quality  of  the  culms.  The  proportion- 
al value  in  which  the  grass  of  the  latter-math  exceeds  that 
of  the  flowering  crop,  is  as  4  to  3  ;  a  difference  which  ap- 
pears extraordinary,  when  the  quantity  of  flowering  culms 
in  the  flowering  crop  is  considered.  In  the  Anihoxanthum 
odoratum  the  proportional  difference  is  still  greater,  the  lat- 
ter-math being  to  the  flowering  crop  in  nutriment  nearly  as 
9  to  4.  In  the  Poa  trivialis  they  are  equal ;  but  in  all  the 
later  flowering  grasses  that  have  culms  resembling  those  of 
the  meadow  fox-tail  and  sweet  scented  vernal,  the  greater 
proportional  value  is  always,  on  the  contrary,  found  in  the 
grass  of  the  flowering  crop.  Whatever  the  cause  may  be, 
it  is  evident  that  the  loss  sustained  by  taking  these  grasses 
at  the  time  of  flowering,  is  considerable.  In  ordinary  cases 
this  seldom  happens  in  practice,  because  these  grasses  per- 
fect their  seed  about  the  season  when  hay-harvest  general- 
ly commences,  unless  where  the  pasture  has  been  stocked 
till  a  late  period  in  the  spring,  which  cannot  in  this  respect 
be  productive  of  any  ultimate  advantage,  but  rather  loss. 
This  grass,  under  the  best  management,  does  not  attain  to 
its  fullest  productive  powers  from  seed  till  four  years; 
hence  it  is  inferior  to  the  cock's-foot  grass  for  the  purposes 
of  alternate  cropping,  and  to  many  other  grasses  besides. 
The  herbage,  however,  contains  more  nutritive  matter  than 
that  of  the  cock's-foot,  though  the  weight  of  grass  produced 
in  one  season  is  considerably  less.  It  thrives  well  under 
irrigation,  keeping  possession  of  the  crowns  of  the  ridges : 
it  is  strictly  permanent.  Sheep  are  very  fond  of  it: 
when  combined  with  white  clover  only,  the  second  season, 
on  a  sandy  loam,  it  is  sufficient  for  the  support  of  five 
couple  of  ewes  and  lambs  per  acre.     As  it  only  thrives  in 


ON    GRASSES    AND    OTHER    PLANTS.  51 

perfection  on  lands  of  an  intermediate  quality  as  to  mois- 
ture and  dryness,  and  also  being  somewhat  longer  in  at- 
taining to  its  full  productive  state  than  some  other  grasses, 
its  merits  have  been  misunderstood  in  many  instances  ;  and 
in  others,  as  in  the  alternate  husbandry,  it  has  been  by 
some  persons  set  aside  altogether.  In  many  rich  natural 
pastures  it  constitutes  the  principal  grass.  Though  not  so 
well  adapted,  therefore,  for  the  alternate  husbandry,  it  is 
one  of  the  best  grasses  for  permanent  pasture,  and  should 
never  form  a  less  proportion  than  one-eighth  of  any  mix- 
ture of  different  grasses  prepared  for  that  purpose :  its 
merits  demand  this,  whether  with  respect  to  early  growth, 
produce,  nutritive  qualities,  or  permanency.  It  has  been  ob- 
served by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swayne,*  that  nearly  two-thirds  of 
the  seed  is  constantly  destroyed  by  insects  :  according  to  my 
experiments  this  evil  may  be  almost  entirely  obviated  by 
suffering  the  first  culms  of  the  season  to  carry  the  seed. 
It  flowers  in  April,  May,  and  June,  according  as  it  may 
have  been  depastured  earlier  or  later.  Seed  ripe  in  June 
and  July,  according  to  the  season  of  flowering." 

This  grass  is  very  little  known  in  the  United  States  ;  and, 
it  is  believed,  has  not  yet  been  cultivated — though  it  may 
possibly  be  worthy  of  being  introduced. 


ON   RAIL   ROADS. 

[We  know  of  no  topic,  which  can  be  more  interesting  to 
Farmers,  at  least,  no  one  which  well  understood,  ought  to 
be  more  interesting  to  them  than  rail  roads.  We  know  of 
no  publication  in  which  information  on  this  subject  could 
be  more  properly  conveyed  or  more  usefully  disseminated 
than  in  this  journal.  To  the  farmer  it  is  a  much  more  im- 
portant question  than  in  what  manner  he  can  increase  his 
crops ;  he  can  scarcely  hope  to  increase  them  more  than 
50  per  cent.;  but  by  cheapening  and  facilitating  transport, 

•  See  Gramina  Pascua,  by  the  Rev.  George  Swayne — a  work  which  con- 
tains much  valuable  information  on  the  subject  of  grasses. 


52  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

the  value  of  produce  may  in  some  instances  be  trebled,  and 
in  others,  a  value,  a  great  value  may  be  given  to  produc- 
tions of  art  and  nature,  which  without  such  facilities  would 
be  of  no  value  whatever.  We  speak  not  from  theory,  but 
from  the  experience  of  Great  Britain  and  of  our  own  coun- 
try.  Coal  mines  in  various  parts  of  England  were  known 
to  exist,  but  were  not  worth  the  expense  of  opening,  until 
canals  were  introduced,  and  they  are  now  the  sources  of 
immense  individual  and  national  wealth.  The  great  canal 
of  the  Duke  of  Bridgwater  was  dug  solely  or  principally 
to  convey  coals,  and  it  made  its  enterprising  projector  or 
his  representatives  the  richest  subjects  in  Great  Britain. 
The  wheat  of  the  Genesee  Country  w^as  instantly  raised  by 
the  Erie  Canal  150  per  cent,  in  value.  To  canals,  howevpr, 
in  our  country  there  are  objections,  which  do  not  apply  to 
rail  roads.  We  have  always  doubted  the  expediency  of  a 
canal  even  to  Connecticut  river.  It  would  require  so  great 
a  number  of  locks  and  the  consequent  delay  would  be  so 
great,  and  the  expense  of  tolls  and  horses  so  heavy,  that 
we  doubt  whether  a  canal  would  ever  compete  with  the 
sloop  navigation  of  the  river.  It  is  not  our  intention  to  en- 
ter into  the  argument  in  favor  of  rail  roads.  This  has  been 
very  ably  discussed  by  Nathan  Hale,  Esq.,  a  gentleman,  in 
all  respects  qualified  for  the  investigation  of  such  a  question. 
It  is  well  known,  that  a  project  for  a  rail  road  much  more 
extensive,  and  in  manj'-  particulars  far  more  difficult  than 
the  execution  of  one  from  Boston  to  the  Hudson  river  has 
been  formed  in  Baltimore;  that  an  act  of  incorporation  has 
been  obtained ;  that  the  subscriptions  far  exceeded  the 
amount  required  by  the  estimates  ;  that  they  were  made  by 
men  of  great  judgment,  experience,  and  wealth;  a  highly 
respectable  committee  was  appointed  by  the  subscribers  to 
consider  and  report  on  the  subject,  and  they  have  submitted 
their  report  to  the  proprietors.  This  report  has  not  been 
printed  at  large  in  this  State,  and  at  this  moment  while  the 
question  is  under  discussion,  we  think  we  cannot  render  a 
more  acceptable  service  than  to  give  the  sketch  of  that 


ON    RAIL  ROADS.  53 

report  as  it  appeared  in  the  American  Farmer,  edited  bjr 
J.  S.  Skinner,  Esq.,  in  Baltimore.  It  should,  however,  be 
kept  in  mind,  that  the  surveys  have  not  yet  been  made  in 
Maryland,  and  of  course  the  calculations  cannot  be  rigor- 
ously exact.] 


BALTIMORE  AND  OHIO  RAIL-ROAD. 

Historical  sketch  of  the  contemplated  Rail-road  from  Baltimore 

to  the  Ohio. 

Though  we  shall  not  have  room  to  record  in  extenso,  all 
the  documents  which  will  be  put  forth  in  the  progress  of 
the  investigation  which  has  been  commenced  in  regard  to 
this  great  project;  we  hold  it  to  be  our  duty  to  give,  from 
time  to  time,  a  sketch  of  the  measures  which  may  be  taken 
in  relation  to  it,  to  serve  as  a  history  of  the  undertaking, 
whether  it  be  destined  to  succeed,  or  to  miscarry.  We 
commence  accordingly,  now,  with  the  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Baltimore,  *on  the  12th  February,  1827;  and  we 
set  apart  a  few  columns  for  this  sketch  the  more  cheerfully, 
as  we  hope  the  facts  and  illustrations  adduced  by  the  com- 
mittee, independently  of  their  application  to  this  particular 
work,  will  throw  light  upon  the  general  subject  that  will  be 
acceptable  to  the  general  reader,  and  useful  to  those  who 
may  be  charged  with  enterprizes  of  a  similar  character,  on 
whatever  scale,  in  other  parts  of  our  widely  extended 
country. 

The  meeting  was  convened  to  consider  of  the  best  means 
of  "  restoring  to  the  city  of  Baltimore  the  portion  of  the 
western  trade  which  has  lately  been  diverted  from  it  by 
the  introduction  of  steam  navigation,  and  by  other  causes." 

William  Patterson,  Esq.  one  of  our  oldest  merchants,  of 
great  probity  and  large  fortune,  and  a  whig  of  the  revolu- 
tion, was  appointed  chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  David 
Winchester,  Esq.,  secretary.  Many  documents  and  state- 
ments were  produced  at  the  meeting,  to  show  the  advantage 
of  Rail-Roads  over  turnpike  roads  or  canals,  for  transport 


54  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

tation  of  heavy  articles  of  carriage.  Tiiese  documents  were 
referred  by  the  meeting  to  a  committee,  with  instructions  to 
examine  and  report  thereon  to  a  subsequent  meeting. 

The  committee  so  appointed  consisted  of — P.  E.  Thomas, 
Benjamin  C.  Howard,  George  Brown,  Talbot  Jones,  Joseph 
W.  Patterson,  Evan  Thomas,  and  John  V.  L.  McMahon. 

A  resolution  was  then  proposed  by  the  meeting  to  con- 
tribute each  ten  dollars,  to  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
committee,  who  were  invested  with  power  to  receive  sub- 
scriptions from  others.  The  meeting  then  adjourned  to 
convene  again  on  the  19th  of  February,  1827.  A  meeting 
was  accordingly  held  pursuant  to  said  adjournment,  when 
the  committee  appointed  at  the  previous  meeting  presented 
their  Report.  Of  this  Report,  we  must  content  ourselves 
with  giving  a  brief  outline.  The  prominent  points  are 
these : 

That  if  Baltimore  remain  longer  inactive,  she  must  yield 
to  the  more  efficient  exertions  of  New-York  and  Philadel- 
phia  the  little  that  remains  to  her  of  the  western  trade.  In 
regard  to  the  Susquehanna,  the  committee  despatch  it  by 
remarking,  that  "  The  effort  now  making  to  connect  the 
tide  water  of  the  Susquehanna  by  means  of  a  canal  naviga- 
tion with  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Canal,  it  is  confidently  hoped,  by  the  friends  of  that  mea- 
sure, will  secure  to  us  the  ascending  and  descending  trade 
of  this  noble  river,  and  perhaps  will  lead  hereafter  to  a 
direct  water  communication  with  the  great  northern  lakes, 
with  whose  tributary  streams  the  Susquehanna  interlocks. 
In  completing  this  measure,  we  shall  therefore  do  all  that 
we  are  now  called  upon  to  execute  in  reference  to  the  river 
Susquehanna." 

After  setting  out  the  fact  that  Baltimore  is  nearer  than 
New  York  by  200  miles,  and  nearer  than  Philadelphia  by 
100  miles,  to  the  navigable  waters  of  the  west,  the  commit- 
tee proceed  to  speak  of  the  various  modes  which  have  been 
devised  for  intercommunication  between  distant  points. 

"  When  Turnpike  roads,"  say  they,  "  were  first  attempted 


ON  RAIL  ROADS.  fi3 

in  England,  thej  were  almost  universally  opposed  by  the 
great  body  of  the  people,  a  few  enterprising  citizens  how- 
ever succeeded  after  a  severe  struggle,  in  constructing 
them.  The  amount  of  travelling  was  then  so  limited,  that 
this  means  of  transportation  was  found  abundantly  sufficient 
for  all  the  exigencies  of  the  then  trade  of  that  country  ;  in 
a  little  time  however,  so  great  was  the  increase  of  com- 
merce there,  (and  which  increase  in  a  great  measure  result- 
ed from  the  advantages  these  roads  afforded)  that  even  the 
turnpikes  in  a  short  time  were  found  insufficient  to  accom- 
modate the  growing  trade  of  the  country,  and  the  substitution 
of  canals  in  the  place  of  roads  was  the  consequence,  in  every 
situation  where  the  construction  of  them  was  practicable. 

"  It  was  soon  ascertained,  that  in  proportion  to  the  in- 
creased facilities  afforded  to  trade  by  the  canals  in  England, 
was  the  increase  of  trade  itself,  until  even  this  means  of 
communication  was  actually,  in  many  of  the  more  commer- 
cial parts  of  the  country,  found  insufficient  for  the  transpor- 
tation required. 

"  Rail  roads  had,  upon  a  limited  scale,  been  used  in 
several  places  in  England  and  Wales  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  had,  in  every  instance,  been  found  fully  to  answer  the 
purposes  required,  as  far  as  the  experiment  had  been  made. 
The  idea  of  applying  them  upon  a  more  extended  scale,  ap- 
pears, however,  only  recently  to  have  been  suggested  in 
that  country  ;  but  notwithstanding  so  little  time  has  elapsed 
since  the  attempt  was  first  made,  yet  we  find  that  so  decided 
have  been  their  advantages  over  turnpike  roads,  and  even 
over  canals,  that  already  2000  miles  of  them  are  actually 
completed  or  in  a  train  of  rapid  progress,  in  Great  Britain, 
and  that  the  experiment  of  their  construction  has  not  in 
one  case  failed,  nor  has  there  been  one  instance  in  which 
they  have  not  fully  answered  the  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions of  their  projectors.  Indeed,  so  completely  has  this 
improvement  succeeded  in  England,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of 
many  judicious  and  practical  men,  there,  that  these  roads 


SB  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

will,  for  heavy  transportation,  supersede  canals  as  efiectual- 
\y  as  canals  have  superseded  turnpike  roads. 

"  We  would  just  here  remark,  that  the  canal  system  has 
many  advantages  in  England  which  it  does  not  possess  in 
this  country. 

"  1st.  The  climate  in  England  is  so  much  milder  in  winter 
ihan  ours,  that  their  canals,  even  as  far  north  as  Liverpool, 
are  seldom  frozen,  and  then  only  about  a  week  in  any 
winter,  whereas  they  would  be  often  frozen  up  here  for 
many  weeks,  and  sometimes  for  several  months. 

"  2dly.  From  that  country  having  been  long  opened  and 
•cleared,  the  people  there  now  know  the  minimum  volume 
of  their  streams,  and  of  course  can  calculate  exactly  how 
far  they  can  depend  upon  these  streams  for  a  supply  of 
water  for  their  canals  :  whereas,  with  us  it  is  known,  that 
as  the  country  is  cleared,  our  streams  are  every  year  di- 
minishing, and  no  one  can  now  pretend  to  say  to  what 
■point  of  declension  they  may  jet  go ;  but  it  has  already 
been  ascertained  that  30  or  40  years  back,  many  of  them 
contained  double  the  quantity  of  water  they  now  do,  in  the 
latter  part  of  summer. 

"  Thirdly,  the  climate  of  England  being  above  the  fiftieth 
degree  of  latitude,  the  people  there  have  nothing  to  fear 
from  the  stagnation  of  water  in  their  canals,  whereas  our 
climate  is  at  least  four  months  in  the  year  a  tropical  one  ; 
and  it  is  found  by  universal  experience,  that  the  exhalations 
from  a  common  mill-rffce,  renders  the  air  unwholesome  for 
a  considerable  distance  on  both  sides  of  it.  There  is  reason 
then  to  fear,  that  the  same  objection  would  apply  to  the 
navigating  a  canal  below  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude, 
during  the  hot  season  of  the  year,  that  is  found  to  exist 
^igainst  navigating  the  river  Mississippi  to  New-Orleans. 
We  say  then,  if  England,  with  these  decided  advantages, 
5ivhich  she  undoubtedly  possesses  over  us  in  favor  of  canal 
navigation,  is  about  to  supersede  her  canals  by  the  con- 
struction of  rail-roads,  will  it  be  wise  in  us  to  exhaust  our 


ON  RAIL  ROADS.  '^  57 

resources  upon  a  system  which  is  now  about  to  be  aban- 
doned in  a  country  where  the  experiment  of  the  two  plans 
has  been  fairly  and  fully  made  ?  There  has  yet  in  this 
country,  been  but  one  rail-road  constructed  and  fully  tested, 
and  this  is  only  about  three  miles  long ;  it  cost  ^1 1,000  per 
mile ;  but  it  is  alleged  that,  with  the  experience  now  gained, 
a  similar  one  could  be  constructed  for  about  one  third  less. 
We  here  refer  to  the  Quincy  rail-road  near  Boston.  It  was 
erected  as  an  experiment,  and  as  far  as  it  has  been  tried, 
has  fully  answered  the  expectations  of  the  parties  for  whose 
use  it  was  made ;  not  having  been  the  least  injured  by  the 
severe  frosts  during  the  late  winter. 

"  The  stock  of  informatioa  upon  the  general  subject  of 
rail-roads,  now  in  possession  of  this  committee,  is  admitted 
not  to  be  very  extensive,  but  they  have  gleaned  from  the 
several  publications  and  reports  which  they  have  examined 
upon  this  interesting  subject,  enough  to  leave  no  doubt  upon 
their  minds,  that  these  roads  are  far  better  adapted  to  our 
situation  and  circumstances,  than  a  canal  across  the  moun- 
tains would  be :  they  therefore  recommend  that  measures 
be  taken  to  construct  a  double  rail-road  between  the  city 
of  Baltimore  and  some  suitable  point  on  the  Ohio  river,  by 
the  most  eligible  and  direct  route,  and  that  a  charter  to 
incorporate  a  company  to  execute  this  work  be  obtained  as 
early  as  possible  ;  and  in  support  of  this  opinion,  they  sub- 
mit the  following  views  and  statements." 

"  Where  an  intermediate  space  between  any  two  places, 
at  a  considerable  distance  apart,  admits  of  being  made  so 
nearly  horizontal  as  not  to  deviate  more  than  27  feet  6 
inches  a  mile,  locomotive  engines  may  be  employed  [upon 
rail-ways,]  to  great  advantage.  Upon  the  Hetton  road 
at  Sunderland,  7i  miles  in  length,  these  engines  draw  24 
chalder  wagons  in  a  train,  at  the  rate  of  four  miles  an  hour. 
The  weight,  including  the  wagons,  being  equal  to  90  tons.'' 
— Strickland'' s  Report,  p.  27. 

"  A  high  pressure  locomotive  engine,  working  with  two 

Vol.  X.  8 


58  )  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

8-inch  cylinders,  and  weighing  five  tons,  has  drawn  on  a 
level  27  wagons,  weighing  94  tons,  at  the  rate  of  four  miles  an 
hour;  and  when  lightly  laden,  it  will  travel  ten  miles  an 
hour.  The  cost  of  one  of  these  engines  is  400/.  stg." — /rfem, 
p.  29. 

"  The  introduction  of  the  locomotive  engine,  has  greatly 
changed  the  relative  value  of  rail-zcays  and  canals ;  and  where 
a  communication  is  to  be  made  between  places  of  a  com- 
mercial or  manufacturing  character,  which  maintain  a  con- 
stant intercourse,  and  where  rapidity  of  transit  becomes 
important,  it  cannot  he  doubted  that  rail-ways  will  receive  a 
preference  in  consequence  of  this  very  powerful  auxiliary.''^ — 
Idem,  p.  31. 

"A  rail-way  is  equally  suited  to  a  mountainous  or  level 
country,  and  either  horses  or  locomotive  engines  may  be 
used  upon  it,  (though  not  with  advantage  at  the  same  time, 
from  their  difference  of  velocity,)  the  wagons  being  drawn 
along  by  the  locomotive  engine,  which  derives  its  motion 
from  the  contact  and  friction  of  the  wheels  against  the  rails, 
the  wheels  being  attached  directly  to  the  steam  engine. 
Where  a  rail-way  is  level,  the  power  required  to  move  the 
wagons  is  little  more  than  the  friction,  which  is  found  to 
amount  to  about  a  200th  part  of  the  weight  to  be  conveyed ; 
or  m  other  words,  a  power  of  one  pound  applied  in  the 
direction  of  the  motion,  will  draw  forward  200  lbs." 

"A  locomotive  engine  of  ten  horse  power, will  draw  120 
tons,  at  the  rate  a  draught  horse  travels ;  or  50  tons  at  the 
rate  of  six  miles  an  hour.  The  engine  requires  the  atten- 
dance of  only  a  man  and  a  boy,  at  a  daily  expense  of  five 
shillings.  The  coals  consumed  in  ten  hours  would  be  from 
20  to  30  cwt. ;  therefore  the  expense  altogether  would  be 
less  than  30  shillings  per  day — for  which  50  tons  may  be 
conveyed  GO  miles  in  ten  hours,  which  is  less  than  half  a 
farthing  a  ton  per  mile." 

"  It  is  to  be  remarked  that  the  rate  of  travelling  may  be 
increased  to  surpass  that  of  mail  coaches ;  and  that  the 
locomotive  engine  will  as  readily  convey  25  tons  (including 


ON  RAIL   ROADS.  59 

its  own  weight,)  at  the  rate  of  twelve  miles  an  hour,  as 
double  the  weight  in  twice  the  time." 

"■Where  ascents  and  descents  were  unavoidable,  they 
were  obviated  by  the  introduction  of  incHned  planes,  up 
which  the  loaded  wagons  were  drawn  by  stationary  en- 
gines, or  the  loaded  wagons  descending,  drew  up  the  empty 
ones.  Their  present  degree  of  perfection  has  thus  been 
gradually  attained,  and  four  or  five  years'  experience  has 
fully  proved  their  simplicity,  cheapness,  and  regularity." 
Idem,  p.  32. 

"The  cost  of  a  double  rail-way  from  Cromford  to  the 
Peak  Forest  Canal,  in  which  there  is  a  tunnel,  four  inclined 
planes,  and  including  engines,  warehouses,  cost  of  lands, 
&c.  &c.  is  estimated  at  dBl 49,000.  The  distance,  eleven 
miles.  A  canal  to  form  the  same  connection,  as  estimated 
by  Rennie,  would  cost  £650,000.  The  construction  of  a 
double  rail-way  from  Whaley  Bridge,  (a  distance  of  thirty 
miles,)  including  bridges,  tunnels,  culverts,  towpath,  land 
purchased,  warehouses  to  be  erected,  and  all  other  expen- 
ses, was  estimated  to  cost  £4310  per  mile." — Idem,  p.  33. 

"  Upon  a  rail-road  near  Newcastle,  a  locomotive  engine 
in  fifty-four  weeks,  conveyed  53,823  carriages  of  coals 
each  weighing  9488  lbs.,  2541  yards,  and  returned  with 
the  same  number  of  empty  carriages,  each  weighing  3472 
lbs.  This  Avas  in  54  successive  weeks;  and  in  that  time, 
exclusive  of  Sundays,  the  engine,  from  want  of  goods  to 
convey,  was  at  least  twenty  days  off  work ;  so  that  in  304 
days,  the  performance  was  446,815  tons  conveyed  one 
mile,  or  1470  tons,  one  mile  each  day;  on  a  stage  only 
2541  yards.  This  engine  had  three  feet  wheels,  which 
were  calculated  for  a  rate  of  about  4i  miles  per  hour  ;  with 
larger  wheels,  and  when  the  distance  to  be  traversed  is 
greater,  the  difference  of  effective  speed  between  the  horses 
and  locomotive  engines,  will  be  correspondingly  increased." 
—  Wood,  on  Rail-ways,  p.  281. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  evidence  of  the  superior  ad- 


60  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

vantages  of  rail-ways  over  canals,  furnished  by  Strickland 

and  Wood,  the  committee  submit  the  following  extracts 

from  a  very  valuable  treatise,  entitled  "  Observations  on  a 

General  Iron  Rail-way  or  Land  Steam  Conveyance,"  by 

Thomas  Gray  ;  and  in  proof  of  the  high  value  in  which  this 

work  is  held  in  England,  the  committee  need  only  remark, 

that  in  a  very  short  time  it  has  passed  through  five  editions, 

from  the  last  of  which  these  extracts  are  made. 
■» 

"  The  experience  already  had  of  our  canal  conveyance, 
cannot  fail  to  convince  every  reader,  after  due  observation, 
that  the  heavy  expense  attending  the  construction  and  re- 
pair of  canal  boats,  with  all  their  multifarious  tackle,  men's 
wages,  horses  and  their  keep,  must  render  the  transport 
much  dearer  than  by  a  rail-way,  which  so  peculiarly  com- 
bines both  economy  of  time  and  labor ;  and  the  few  hands 
required  to  superintend  a  gang  of  wagons  on  the  rail-way, 
compared  with  those  employed  in  the  conveyance  of  the 
same  freight  by  a  canal." — Gray^  p.  36. 

"  The  enormous  expense.s  so  peculiar  to  shipping,  and 
the  further  detentions  by  canals,  (such  as  the  total  stoppage 
to  commerce  when  they  are  undergoing  repair,  and  in  time 
of  floods,  or  frosts,  or  droughts,)  greatly  retard  the  inter- 
course of  the  country,  and  consequently  enhance  the  trans- 
port of  merchandise  :  on  all  these  points  I  refer  my  readers 
to  the  merchants  and  traders,  who  cannot  forbear  their 
testimony  in  support  of  this  statement.  Rail-ways  are  free 
from  all  these  objections,  and  the  great  speed  with  which 
journeys  might  be  made,  would  enable  coach  and  wagon 
proprietors  to  reduce  the  present  rate  of  carriage  one  half." 
— Gray ^  p.  41. 

"•  All  counties,  which  from  their  distance  and  expense  of 
carriage,  are  totally  denied  the  use  of  coals,  might,  by 
means  of  the  plan  now  under  consideration,  be  regularly 
supplied  with  this  necessary  article  of  fuel,  on  terms  nearly 
equal  with  those  situated  in  the  more  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  coal  pits." — Graj/,  p.  46. 


ON  RAIL  ROADS.  61 

"  The  proprietors  of  the  fao  canals  which  do  answer, 
will  have  the  greatest  reason  to  complain;  but  they,  in 
common  with  the  rest  of  society,  must  of  course  submit  to 
any  superior  method  of  improving  the  conveyance  or  trans- 
port of  merchandise,  just  as  the  common  coasting  traders 
will  to  the  established  steam  vessels.  With  respect  to  those 
canals  which  do  not  answer,  and  those  that  never  can,  the 
sooner  they  are  abolished  in  toto,  the  better." — Gray,  p.  66. 

"The  expense  of  forming  rail-ways  is  not  only  far  less 
than  that  of  canals,  but  the  former  exhibit  the  peculiar 
advantage  of  a  better  conveyance  than  roads  and  canals 
conjointly  afford  at  present." — Gray,  p.  67. 

"  The  mode  of  conveyance  that  most  nearly  assimilates 
to  rail-ways,  is  canals ;  but  to  them,  the  agency  of  steam 
cannot  be  available,  as  they  are  limited  to  the  size  of  their 
loads,  and  as  regards  utility,  to  the  speed  of  conveyance ; 
for  to  draw  a  load  of  forty  or  lifty  tons  with  double  the 
speed  that  is  now  done  by  one  horse,  could  not  be  effected 
on  a  common  canal  by  any  power  that  can  be  applied. — • 
Jessop^  in  Gray,  p.  103. 

"  A  rail-way  can,  according  to  circumstances,  be  made  at 
from  a  half  to  a  fourth  of  the  expense  of  a  canal,  and  con- 
vey goods  more  cheaply,  which  would  render  them  lucra- 
tive when  any  oth6r  mode  would  be  ruinous." — Idem,  in 
Gray,  p.  104. 

"  On  the  proposed  rail-way,  where  th^B  ascent  from  Crom- 
ford  by  four  inclined  planes  is  nearly  1000  feet,  and  the 
descent  to  the  Peak  Forest  canal  between  7  and  800  feet, 
by  three  others,  the  average  cost  of  working  each  place 
will  be  about  a  halfpenny  per  ton.  When  these  very  mode- 
rate expenses  of  carriage  are  considered,  it  furnishes  an 
additional  argument  in  favor  of  the  opinion  I  expressed  in 
my  former  report,  that  a  rail-way  forming  so  important  a 
connection  between  rich  and  populous  districts,  and  with 
canals  which  yield  an  abundant  revenue,  cannot  be  a  spe- 


i62  ON  RAIL  ROADS. 

culation  of  hazard ;  but  must  be  a  secure  and  a  lucrative 
mode  of  investing  capital." — Idem,  in  Gray,  pp.  107-8. 

"  Rail-ways  have  latterly  been  extensively  constructed 
from  the  collieries  in  the  neighborhood  of  Newcastle,  and 
experience  has  confirmed  the  advantages  above  stated,  and 
the  simplicity  attending  them :  they  obviate  many  objec- 
tions to  canals,  arising  from  the  localities  of  the  country. 
When  great  elevations  have  to  be  passed  over,  the  lockage 
on  canals  is  excessive,  and  the  consequent  supply  of  water 
expensive,  and  perhaps  only  to  be  obtained  by  interfering 
with  the  vested  rights  of  mill  owners." 

"  Rail-ways  may  be  constructed  at  one-fifth  part  of  the 
expense  of  canals;  and  as  it  has  been  shewn  that  they  will 
convey  as  cheaply,  where  the  prospect  of  remuneration  to 
the  adventurer  in  one  case  is  doubtful,  the  lesser  expense 
makes  the  other  certain ;  and  as  few  persons  have  the  pub- 
lic spirit  to  embark  in  unprofitable  speculations,  the  lesser 
cost  of  a  rail-way  may  secure  to  a  district  the  advantage  of 
cheap  conveyance  of  the  first  necessaries  of  life,  as  well  as 
give  value  to  its  mines  and  produce,  and  to  the  public  that 
of  free  communication  with  distant  places,  whilst  benefit  to 
the  adventurers  is  not  lost  sight  of.  Canals  take  the  rich- 
est land,  and  are  circuitous  by  following  the  valleys,  and 
the  carriage  from  them  is  ascending.  Rail-ways  may  pass 
along  the  tops  and  sides  of  hills  from  whence  the  carriage 
of  coals  and  heavy  goods  will  be  conveyed  into  the  neigh- 
borhood without  the  obstacles  of  hills,  and  their  elevation 
admits  of  branches  from  them  at  little  expense,  wherever 
mines  or  a  populous  village  make  it  desirable." — Gray,p, 
180-181. 

"  Rail-roads,  as  hitherto  worked  by  horses,  possess  very 
little,  if  any  advantage,  over  canals  ;  but  rail-roads,  worked 
by  the  locomotive  steam  engine,  have  so  decided  a  supe- 
riority, both  as  regards  time  and  expense,  that  there  can  be 
no  question,  but  they  will  be  generally  adopted,  wherever 
a  new  line  of  conveyance  has  become  necessary,  cither 


ON  RAIL  ROADS,  63 

from  an  increased  trade,  or  from  the  exorbitant  demand 
of  canal  proprietors.  By  the  locomotive  engine,  50  tons 
of  goods  may  be  conveyed  by  a  ten  horse  power  engine, 
on  a  level  road,  at  the  rate  of  six  miles  an  hour,  and  lighter 
weights  at  a  proportionate  increase  of  speed.  Carriages 
for  the  convej'-ance  of  passengers,  at  the  rate  of  12  or  14 
miles  per  hour.  For  canals,  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  dead 
level ;  but  not  so  for  rail-roads :  an  engine  will  work  goods 
ever  an  elevation  of  one  eighth  of  an  inch  to  the  yard. 
Where  the  ascent  or  descent  is  rapid,  and  cannot  be  coun- 
teracted by  cuttings  or  embankments,  recourse  must  be  had 
to  permanent  engines  and  inclined  planes,  just  as  recourse 
is  had  to  locks  for  canals  ;  but  here  again  the  rail-road  sys- 
tem has  a  great  advantage — the  inclined  plane  causes  no 
delay,  while  locking  creates  a  great  deal." — Gray,  p.  185- 
186. 

"  When  the  rail-way  is  once  completed,  the  repairs  would 
not  \>e  so  heavy  as  on  the  common  turnpike  roads,  owing 
to  the  very  good  and  very  substantial  foundation  which 
must  be  laid  to  begin  with." — Gray^p,  4. 

"  The  carriage  of  oysters  renders  them  so  excessively 
dear  in  towns  remote  from  the  metropolis,  that  in  order  to 
have  one  small  barrel  forwarded  to  any  friends  residing 
two  hundred  miles  in  the  country,  an  additional  charge  of 
50  per  cent,  or  more,  on  the  cost,  is  made  for  carriage ; 
this  evil  would  be  obviated  by  the  plan  now  submitted  to 
the  public,  as  proprietors  of  steam  wagons  and  caravans 
would  be  able  to  deliver  merchandise  2  or  300  miles  (in- 
deed any  distance  wherever  the  rail-way  extends)  within 
the  time  now  required  for  coaches  ;  and  the  great  quantity 
taken  with  such  ease  and  rapidity,  would  cause  the  car- 
riage to  be  only  one  quarter  of  the  present  charge.  As 
almost  every  one  would  gladly  partake  of  oysters  during 
the  season,  this  general  wish  might  be  gratified  by  the 
great  reduction  in  the  price  of  carriage,  and  at  the  same 
time  prove  highly  advantageous  to  the  owners  of  oyster 


64 


ON  RAIL  ROADS. 


beds.  All  perishable  articles,  such  as  fish,  fruit,  and  provi- 
sions ofordinarj  and  general  consumption,  require  a  speedy 
conveyance,  otherwise  they  soon  spoil  from  the  heat  occa- 
sioned by  any  quantity  being  packed  together;  therefore, 
the  same  vehicles  which  take  the  fish,  as  already  mention- 
ed, will  afford  every  necessary  means  required,  and  cause 
a  general  and  uniform  supply  of  these  articles  of  food."* — 
Graxji  p.  30-31. 

An   abstract  statement  of  the   comparative   difference  between 
Horse  and  Mechanic  Power. 

The  real  number  of  wagon,  coach, 
and  post  chaise  horses,  employed  on 
our  main  turnpike  roads,  will,  perhaps, 
be  found  to  exceed  500,000  ;  taking, 
however,  this  number  for  a  calculation, 
and  computing  the  value  of  each  horse 
at  /.20 — the  keep  at  Z.20  each  per  an- 
num ;  in  the  course  of  12  years,  allow- 
ing for  the  renewal  of  stock  every 
four  years,  and  the  interest  of  capital, 
the  consequent  expense  in  this  limited 
space  of  time,  is         -         -         -  /.  1 73,500,000  0  0 

The  expenses  of  10,000  steam  en- 
gines, /.300  each  in  value,  which  would, 
on  a  rail-way,  be  more  than  equivalent 
to  the  horse  power,  above  stated, 
amounts  to  ?.3,000,000  0  0 

Interest    of   this 
capital  for  1 2  years,       1,800,000  0  0 

*  Should  the  result  here  stated  be  realized  in  reference  to  the  proposed  rail- 
road from  Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  river,  an  extensive  market  would  at  once 
be  opened  to  the  West,  for  fish  and  oysters,  wliich  must  \iecessarily  increase 
the  value  of  our  numerous  fisheries  and  oyster  beds,  upcVji  the  shores  of  the 
Chesapeake  Bay,  to  an  enormous  extent,  besides  sustaining  aa.  immense  aug- 
mentation of  the  tonnage  on  this  Bay  and  its  tributary  waters  ;  thus  opening 
to  the  people  who  reside  upon  these  shores,  or  who  hold  property  near  to 
thcni,  a  new  and  highly  lucrative  source  of  wealth. 


ON   RAIL    ROADS.  66 

The  fuel  necessary  to 
feed  the  steam  engines, 
taken  at  14s.  per  day 
for  each  engine,  in  12 
years  amounts  to  30,660,000  0  0— /.35,460,000  0  0 

Difference  in  favour  of  the  rail  road 

system,  /.1 35,040,000  0  0 


Gray^p,  67. 


The  Committee  are  much  gratified  to  find  themselves 
fully  sustained  in  the  opinion  they  have  here  endeavoured 
to  enforce,  of  the  superiority  of  a  rail  road  over  any  other 
means  of  communication  between  the  city  of  Baltimore 
and  the  Western  states,  by  a  very  able  report,  lately  made 
by  a  Committee  of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  who 
it  appears  had  been  appointed  to  ascertain  the  most  eligible 
means  of  opening  a  direct  inland  communication  between 
Boston  and  the  Hudson  river  at  Albany.  The  district  of 
country  between  those  places  being  in  many  respects  simi- 
lar to  that  between  us  and  the  Ohio  river,  renders  this  re- 
port the  more  interesting  to  us  :  The  Committee  therefore 
take  leave  to  offer  the  following  extracts  from  it : 

"  The  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  after 
reviewing  the  two  means  of  intercommunication  which  have 
been  most  thought  of,  levels  and  rail-ways,  and  after  a  can- 
did examination  of  the  advantages,  expense,  &c.  of  each, 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  latter  is  preferable.  The 
first  cost  of  an  iron  rail-way,  with  two  sets  of  tracks,  is  less 
than  that  of  a  canal,  and  the  expense  of  repairs  essential- 
ly less.  The  cost  of  the  Quincy  rail-way  is  stated  at 
<|1 1,052  98  a  mile,  which  is  believed  to  be  a  third  more 
than  a  like  undertaking  would  now  cost." 

This  Committee  then  proceed  to  state  that :    "  The  nu- 

Voi.  X.  9 


68  ON    RAIL   BOADS. 

merous  rail-ways  which  have  been  for  several  years  in  suc- 
cessful operation  in  the  hilly  and  mountainous  districts  of 
Wales,  and  in  the  north  of  England,  prove  their  fitness 
to  an  uneven  and  undulating  country.*  They  are  not 
like  canals,  confined  to  a  supply  of  water,  and  series  of 
levels,  but  they  admit  of  a  variation  like  other  roads.  True, 
a  level  road,  where  the  transportation  is  equal  both  ways  is 
the  best.  But  unless  the  deviation  generally  exceeds  27i 
feet  to  a  mile,  it  is,  practicably  considered,  a  level  way. 
This  deviation  is  nearly  equal  to  three  and  a  half  locks  on 
a  mile  of  canal. 

"  The  best  material  for  constructing  a  rail-way,  except 
iron,  can  be  obtained  on  and  near  any  route  which  may  be 
selected.  Our  state  abounds  with  immense  quarries  of  gra- 
nite, gneiss,  and  other  hard  rocks  suitable  for  such  a  work  ; 
and  in  many  places  these  may  be  had  with  little  or  no  ex- 
pense except  the  labour  necessary  for  the  preparation. 

'^  Mines  of  iron  are  found  in  many  parts  of  the  state; 
and  much  of  that  important  article  can  be  had  in  this  and 
the  adjoining  states.  The  prospect  of  such  a  demand  for 
iron,  as  a  resolve  to  construct  a  rail- way  would  produce, 
would  naturally  increase  the  manufacture,  as  well  as  the 
importation  of  that  article.  w^l* 

"  The  rivers  and  other  streams  of  water  to  be  passed  by 
the  proposed  rail  road,  are  not  such  as  to  afford  any  serious 
difficulty.  Bridges  can  be  constructed,  differing  little  in 
their  form,  except  the  rails,  from  those  in  common  use. 

"  Your  Committee  are  aware  that  the  face  of  the  coun- 

*  In  support  of  this  opinion,  tlie  Committee  might  further  state,  that  the 
United  States'  Engineers  in  their  report  to  Congress  herein  referred  to,  have, 
in  consideration  of  tlie  obvious  difficulty  of  constructing  a  canal  across  the 
Alleghany  mountains,  suggested  to  the  government,  "the  expediency  of  mak- 
ing the  surveys  and  investigations  necessary  to  ascertain  as  accurately  as 
practicable,  the  comparative  merits  of  a  rail  road  and  canal  for  the  section  of 
loute  from  Cumberland  to  the  mouth  of  Casselman's  river." 

Report  U.  States  Engineers,  p.  64. 


ON    RAIL    ROADS.  61 

try  as  above  described,  seems  to  present  serious  obstacles 
to  the  proposed  design.  But  these  obstacles  lose  much  of 
their  apparent  magnitude  when  the  construction  of  a  rail- 
way, and  the  principle  and  effects  of  its  operation  are  taken 
into  view. 

"The  expense  of  a  double  iron  way  is  variously  esti- 
mated from  2000/.  to  6000/.  a  mile.  A  rail-way  from 
Liverpool  to  Manchester,  recently  granted  by  act  of  Par- 
liament, is  laid  out  upon  the  most  extensive  scale.  It  is 
sixty-six  feet  wide  and /our  sets  of  tracks.  The  whole  ex- 
pense of  the  company,  including  land  and  warehouses  at 
the  two  extremities,  steam  engines,  wagons,  and  many  other 
items,  separate  from  the  mere  formation  of  the  road  is  es- 
timated at  1 2,000/.  a  mile ;  or  for  two  sets  of  tracks  6,000/. 
When  the  expenses  for  land,  storehouses  in  Manchester 
and  Liverpool,  expenses  for  steam  engines,  engine-houses, 
&c.  are  deducted,  the  cost  for  a  mile  will  amount  to  4,000/. 
A  rail  road  from  Newcastle  to  Carlisle,  was  estimated  at 
3,915/.  a  mile.  A  comparative  estimate  of  various  kinds 
of  rail  roads,  amounting  in  all  to  upwards  of  five  hundred 
miles,  has  been  found  to  average  about  4,000/.  a  mile,  and 
with  all  the  modern  improvements,  and  extra  expenses,  to 
5,000/.  Many  of  these  expenses  are  much  beyond  the 
necessary  cost  of  constructing  rail  roads  in  this  country, 
particularly  for  land,  fences,  and  stone.  There  is  already 
constructed  in  Great  Britain  near  two  thousand  miles  of 
rail-way,  and  many  new  routes  are  contemplated. 

"  Stone  rail-ways  are  by  far  the  most  substantial  and  du- 
rable that  have  been  yet  invented.  This  is  apparer/t  from 
an  examination  of  the  rail-way  at  Quincy,  whore  the  iron 
bars  are  laid  on  long  granite  blocks. 

"  The  expense  of  transportation  on  the  rail-ways  in  Eng- 
land has  been  computed  by  Dr.  Anderson,  to  be  only  one- 
tenth  part  of  the  amount  it  is  upon  the  turnpike  roads. 
And  '  in  South  Wales,'  it  is  stated  in  the  Edinburgh  Ency- 
clopasdia,  '  a  large  uninhabited  district  of  sterile  mountains 


68  ON    RAIL    ROADS. 

may  be  said  all  at  once,  to  have  become  the  seat  of  popu- 
lous towns  and  villages,  by  the  introduction  of  the  railway 
system.' " 

The  Committee  will  here  close  that  part  of  their  report 
which  refers  to  the  comparative  advantages  of  canals  and 
rail  roads  with  the  following  extract,  from  an  essay  lately 
published  in  a  London  paper  upon  this  subject : 

From  the  \_Lo7idon]  John  Bull. 

"  Steam. — The  strides  which  steam  is  making  in  the  eco- 
nomy of  the  country,  are  more  gigantic  and  surprising  than 
those  who  are  domesticated  at  a  distance  from  its  imme- 
diate operation  imagine ;  but  the  capability  of  the  locomo- 
tive engine  to  travel  with  ease  and  safety  with  a  weight  of 
ninety  tons  in  its  train,  at  t-he  rate  of  eight  miles  an  hour, 
having  been  proved  by  the  opening  of  the  Darlington  and 
Stockton  rail  road,  it  becomes  our  duty  to  submit  a  more 
detailed  statement  of  its  powers  and  advantages,  than  We 
believe  has  yet  appeared  in  print. 

"  The  engine  will  travel  over  25  miles  7  times  a  day, 
making  175  miles  a  day's  work,  with  90  tons,  consuming  7 
tons  of  small  coals  each  day,  or  42  tons  per  week,  which 
at  an  average  cost  of  7^.  will  be  14/.  145.  One  man  and 
boy  in  constant  attendance,  supposing  the  24  hours  equal 
to  three  days,  will  be  three  men  and  three  boys  each  day, 
which  at  17s.  3d.  will  add  51.  Ss.  6d.  and — making  the  to- 
tal weekly  expense  19/.  175.  6d. — The  engine  will  cost 
600/.;  80  wagons  900/. — giving  1500/.  for  the  entire  set 
out. 

"  Now,  90  tons  will  load  6  boats ;  each  of  these  boats 
will  be  a  day  in  performing  20  miles ;  therefore  52  boats 
with  52  horses,  52  men  and  52  boys,  will  be  required  to 
execute  the  transfer  of  90  tons  175  miles  in  one  day ;  each 
horse  will  cost  weekly  one  guinea,  each  man  a  guinea,  and 
boy  125.  forming  a  total  weekly  charge  of  140/.  85.  [for  ex 
pense  of  transportation  by  a  canal,]  in  lieu  of  19/.  17s.  and 


ON    RAIL    ROADS.  69 

6d.  [for  the  expense  of  the  same  transportation  upon  a 
rail  road."] 

The  effect  which  the  proposed  rail-way  would  produce 
upon  the  value  of  real  estate  in  our  city,  and  upon  the 
value  of  the  lands  through  which  the  road  would  pass,  will, 
perhaps,  be  sufficiently  illustrated  by  the  following  esti- 
mates, extracted  from  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Engineers 
for  Internal  Improvement,  concerning  the  proposed  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  Canal,  laid  before  Congress,  December 
7th,  1826. 

[Here  follow  extracts  from  the  report  of  the  United  States 
Engineers,  which  has  been  published  more  at  large,  and 
may  be  found  in  No.  46,  vol.  8,  of  the  American  Farmer.] 

The  very  high  and  respectable  authority  from  which  we 
derive  the  foregoing  estimate,  must  naturally  inspire  great 
confidence  in  its  correctness.  Assuming,  therefore,  that 
the  advantages  which  might  be  expected  from  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  Canal,  to  the  real  estate  which  would  par- 
ticipate in  its  benefits,  are  not  over-rated,  we  will  take  the 
same  data  as  precisely  applicable  to  the  proposed  rail  road, 
and  the  following  results  will  appear  : 

Appreciation  of  real  estate  in  the  counties 
adjacent  to  the  line  of  the  road,  as  above  esti- 
mated by  the  United  States  Board  of  Engi- 
neers, -  -  -  ^12,000,000 

In  the  Western  States  directly  benefited 
by  the  road,  -  -  -  17,280,000 

Present  estimated  value  of  real  estate  in 
Baltimore,  .  -  ^20,000,000 

50  per  cent,  appreciation  upon  the  value  of 
this  real  estate  in  consideration  of  the  in- 
crease of  the  trade  of  that  city,  from  the 
opening  of  this  new  and  cheap  means  of 
communication  between  it  and  the  West,  be- 
ing the  same  ^ratio  assumed  by  the  United 
States  Engineers  as  applicable  to  the  property 


70  ON    RAIL    ROADS. 

in  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  proposed  ter- 
minating point  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
Canal,  will  be  -  -  -  10,000,000 

^39,280,000 

Thus  exhibiting  an  actual  appreciation  of  the  value  of 
real  estate  interested  in  the  proposed  rail-way,  of  at  least 
39  millions  of  dollars,  whilst  the  cost  of  executing  the 
work  is  only  estimated  at  5  millions  of  dollars,  and  whilst 
the  investment  of  this  5  millions  could  not  fail  to  yield  a 
profit  to  the  stockholders  of  more  than  10  per  cent,  per 
annum. 

With  a  view  of  enabling  the  public  to  form  a  correct 
idea  of  the  amount  of  trade  which  would  probably  pass 
upon  a  well  constructed  double  rail  road  communication 
between  the  tide  w^aters  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay  and  the 
navigable  rivers  of  the  West,  the  Committee  submit  the 
following  further  extracts  from  the  report  of  the  United 
States  Engineers. 

The  Committee  do  not  doubt  but  that  the  estimated 
•amount  of  tonnage  would  pass  upon  the  proposed  rail  road. 
The  district  of  country  which  would  mainly  depend  upon 
this  route  for  the  conveyance  of  its  surplus  produce,  it  will 
be  recollected  already  contains  nearly  two  millions  of  in- 
habitants, that  is  to  say  about  one-fifth  of  the  whole  popu- 
lation of  the  United  States,  whilst  the  population  depending 
upon  the  New  York  canal  is  not  estimated  to  be  more  than 
about  one  million  ;  and  the  receipts  from  the  latter  are 
stated  to  be  as  follows  : 

Receipt  for  the  year  1824,  $340,761  07 

1825,  566,221  51 

1826,  765,000  00 

There  are  a  great  variety  of  articles  the  product  of  the 
country  west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  which  are  now 
of  little  value  in  those  countries,  on  account  of  the  heavy 


ON    RAIL    ROADS.  71 

expenses  unavoidably  incurred  in  the  transportalion  of 
them,  to  a  port  whence  they  could  be  shipped  to  a  foreign 
market.  With  the  facilities  afforded  by  this  road  many  of 
these  articles  could  not  only  bear  a  transportation  to  Balti- 
more, but  while  they  would  furnish  a  constant  and  an  in- 
creasing supply  of  freight  upon  the  proposed  road,  they 
would  become  a  source  of  great  wealth  to  the  people  of 
the  West. 

To  illustrate  the  truth  of  this  assertion,  it  will  only  be 
necessary  to  refer  to  the  single  article  of  bread  stuffs.  A 
barrel  of  flour  for  instance,  which  would  now  command 
five  dollars  in  Baltimore,  would  not,  as  an  article  of  export 
to  that  market,  be  worth  at  Wheeling,  on  the  Ohio  river, 
more  than  one  dollar ;  the  cost  of  its  transportation  from 
that  place  by  the  present  means  of  conveyance  being  four 
dollars  ;  whereas  upon  the  proposed  rail  road,  the  whole  ex- 
pense of  transportation  from  the  Ohio  river  to  Baltimore,, 
being  estimated  to  be  only  at  the  rate  of  ten  dollars  per  ton, 
the  cost  of  carriage  upon  a  barrel  of  flour  would  then  be 
only  one  dollar;  thus  at  once  would  its  value,  as  an  article 
of  export,  be  enhanced  in  Ohio  from  one  dollar  to  four 
dollars  per  barrel. 

The  expense  of  conveying  cotton  upon  the  proposed 
rail  road  from  the  Ohio  river  to  Baltimore,  including  all 
charges,  may  be  estimated  at  one  quarter  of  a  cent  per 
pound,  certainly  not  more  than  half  a  cent  a  pound  ;  and 
coal  from  the  Alleghany  mountains  near  to  Cumberland, 
including  its  cost  at  the  pits,  could  be  delivered  in  Ballimore 
at  from  11  to  12  cents  per  bushel.  Let  us  then  apply  this 
calculation  to  the  other  numerous  productions  of  the  west- 
ern states,  and  we  shall  at  once  be  convinced,  that  there  is 
no  scale  by  which  we  could  venture  to  calculate  the  ulti- 
mate extent  of  the  trade,  which  would  flow  into  the  state  of 
Maryland,  upon  the  proposed  rail  road,  should  its  results 
approach  any  thing  near  to  our  present  expectations. 

No  part  of  the  country,  included  in  these  estimates,  lies 


72  ON   RAIL    ROADS. 

nearer,  by  water,  to  New  Orleans  than  1200  or  1500  miles, 
(and  that  it  should  be  recollected  is  the  only  market  that 
could  compete  with  us  for  this  trade,)  whilst  a  large  portion 
of  those  districts  lie  2000  miles  distant  from  that  city.  By 
the  estimates  here  furnished,  it  is  manifestly  clear,  that 
the  produce  from  a  large  portion  of  those  countries  can  be 
delivered  at  Baltimore,  at  a  less  expense  of  transportation 
than  they  possibly  can  be  carried  to  New  Orleans. 

Admitting  the  cities  of  New  Orleans  and  Baltimore  to 
stand  in  the  same  relative  condition,  as  regards  their  claims 
to  this  trade,  Baltimore,  to  say  the  least,  might  be  expected 
to  hold  its  share;  but  we  should  not  lose  sight  of  the  im- 
portant fact,  that  the  productions  of  these  extensive  re- 
gions; excepting  only  cotton  and  tobacco,  being  principally 
bread  stuffs,  provisions  and  other  perishable  articles  can- 
not be  exposed  to  the  deleterious  effects  of  the  climate  of 
New  Orleans,  without  the  hazard  of  great  injury;  hence 
we  find  that  considerable  portions  of  the  flour  and  pro- 
visions which  go  by  the  way  of  the  Mississippi,  are  often  so 
much  damaged,  as  to  be  rendered  unfit  for  exportation  to  a 
foreign  market.  Many  valuable  lives  are  also  annually 
sacrificed  to  the  climate,  in  the  prosecution  of  the  trade  up- 
on the  Mississippi.  What  then  has  Baltimore  to  fear  from 
New  Orleans,  in  a  conflict  on  equal  terms  for  their  trade? 

To  convince  any  one  that  there  is  no  probability  that  the 
trade  here  estimated  will  be  likely  hereafter  to  decline,  it 
will  only  be  necessary  to  observe,  that  the  population,  upon 
which  the  calculations  are  founded,  is  rapidly  increasing 
every  year,  and  that  it  must  for  several  succeeding 
generations,  still  continue  to  increase.  The  country 
around  the  Chesapeake  Bay  was  first  settled  by  Euro- 
peans, about  the  year  1632,  and  in  the  year  1800  the 
white  population  had  barely  reached  as  far  west  as  the 
Ohio  river;  that  is  to  say,  in  160  years  it  had  advanced 
westward  about  400  miles,  or  at  the  rate  of  two  and  a  half 
miles  per  year.     There  is  now  a  dense    population  ex- 


ON   RAIL    ROADS.  73 

tending  as  far  west  as  the  junction  of  the  Osage  river  with 
the  Missouri ;  which  is  about  nine  hundred  miles  west  of  the 
Ohio  river  at  Wheeling ;  of  corfrse  the  white  population 
has,  within  the  last  thirty  years,  travelled  that  distance,  or 
more  than  thirty  miles  each  year,  and  is  at  this  time  advanc- 
ing with  as  great,  if  not  greater  impetus,  than  at  any  for- 
mer period  :  and  according  to  all  probability,  if  not  checked 
by  some  unforseen  circumstances,  it  will,  within  the  next 
thirty  years  reach  the  Rocky  mountains,  or  even  to  the 
Pacific  ocean.  We  have  therefore,  no  reason  to  look  for 
any  falling  off  in  this  trade,  but  on  the  contrary,  for  an  in- 
crease of  it,  to  an  extent  of  which  no  estimate  could  now 
be  formed. 

In  conclusion,  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  refer  to  the 
annexed  tables,  numbered  from  1  to  7  in  which  they  have 
arranged,  under  a  condensed  form,  some  of  the  more  impor- 
tant facts  and  statements  embraced  in  this  report.  The 
Committee  have  also  in  these  tables  contrasted  the  advan- 
tages, which,  in  their  opinion,  would  be  likely  to  accrue  to 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  from  connecting  her  trade  with  the 
western  states,  by  intersecting  the  contemplated  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  canal  within  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  by  a  direct  rail  road  from  Baltimore  to  some  eligi- 
ble POINT  ON  THE  OhIO  RIVER. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

PHILIP  E.  THOMAS, 

Chairman   of  the  Committee. 

[We  have  here  given  nearly  the  whole  of  the  report  of 
the  Committee,  the  facts  and  the  reasoning  appearing  to  be 
of  a  general  character,  and  likely  to  prove  instructive  to 
those  who  wish  to  understand  the  general  subject. 

The  report  was  unanimously  accepted  by  the  meeting — 
a  resolution  was  then  adopted  to  appoint  a  Committee  of 
twenty-five  citizens  on  its  behalf,  to  prefer  an  application 

Vol.  X.  10 


74  OM   RAIL   ROADS. 

to  the  Legislature  for  an  act  to  incorporate  a  joint  stock 
company,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Rail-avay  Company,"  and  the  following  persons  were  ac- 
cordingly designated  for  that  purpose. 

Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  William  Patterson,  Isaac 
M'Kim,  Robert  Oliver,  Charles  Ridgely  of  Hampton, 
Thomas  Tenant,  Alexander  Brown,  John  M'Kim,  Jr.,  Tal- 
bot Jones,  James  Wilson,  Thomas  Ellicott,  George  Hoff- 
man, William  Steuart,  Philip  E.  Thomas,  William  Lorman, 
George  Warner,  Benj.  C.  Howard,  Solomon  Etting,  W.  W. 
Taylor,  Alexander  Fridge,  James  L.  Hawkins,  John  B. 
Morris,  Luke  Tiernan,  Alexander  M'Donald,  Solomon 
Birckhead.] 

Table,  No.  1. 
Estimated  difference  in  the  distance  between  connecting 
the  city  of  Baltimore  with  the  western  trade,  by  a  conti- 
nuous canal,  intersecting  the  eastern  termination  of  the 
proposed  "Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,"  within,  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  and  of  connecting  Baltimore  with  this 
trade  by  a  rail-way,  direct  from  that  city  to  some  suitable 
point  on  the  Ohio  river. 

The  United   States  Engineers  report  the  length  of  the 
"  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,"  from  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington to  Pittsburg,  on  the  Ohio  river  to  be  341  i  miles 
Estimated  length  of  a  canal  from  Baltimore, 
to   intersect   the    "  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
canal,"  at  Washington,  48 i  miles 


Whole  distance  of  a  canal  by  this  route,  from 

Baltimore  to  Pittsburg,  390    miles 

Estimated  distance  of  a  rail-road,  from  the 
city  of  Baltimore  to  Wheeling,  or  some 
other  suitable  point  on  the  Ohio  river,  250    miles 


Distance  saved  by  a  rail-road,  140    miles 


on  rail  roads.  75 

Table,  No.  2. 

Comparative  cost  of  constructing  a  canal  communication 
between  the  city  of  Baltimore  and  the  Ohio  river,  by  the 
propased  route  of  the  "  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,"  and 
by  the  proposed  direct  rail-road  communication  between 
Baltimore  and  that  river. 

The  United  States  Engineers  estimate  the  cost  of  the 
proposed  canal  from  Washington  to  Pittsburg,  to  be 
(^22,375,427,)  twenty-two  millions,  three  hundred  and 
seventy-five  thousand,  four  hundred  and  twenty-seven 
dollars ;  but  we  will  suppose  it  could  be  made  for  one 
half  of  this  sum,  or  $11,000,000  00 

To  which  should  be  added  the  cost  of  con- 
structing a  continuous  canal  from  the 
city  of  Baltimore  to  the  eastern  termi- 
nation of  the  "  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
canal?"  at  Washington,  that  being  the 
only  point  at  which  we  can  intersect 
it,    •  1,000,000  00 


$12,000,000  00 
The  highest  estimate  cost  of  a  rail  road 
from  Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  river,  cal- 
culating the  same  to  cost  $20,000  per 
mile,  (and  this  is  believed  to  be  a  very 
high  estimate,)  would  be  $5,000,000  00 


Amount  of  capital  saved  in  favour  of  a 

rail-road,  ^7,000,000  00 

Table,  No.  3. 

Estimated  difference  of  expense  on  transportation  for 
tolls  only,  by  the  proposed  canals  from  Baltimore  through 
the  District  of  Columbia  to  Pittsburg,  and  by  a  direct  rail 
road  route  from  Baltimore  to  some  point  on  the  Ohio  river. 

The  United  States  Engineers  estimate  the  cost 
of  transportation  by  the  proposed  Chesapeake 


76  ON    RAIL    ROADS. 

and  Ohio  canal,  at  the  rate  of  U  cents  for  each 
ton  per  mile — taking  the  whole  distance  then 
from  Baltimore  to  Pittsburg,  as  is  shewn  in  Ta- 
ble, No.  1,  to  be  390  miles;  the  tolls  for  con- 
veying a  ton  of  freight  from  Baltimore,  the 
whole  distance  along  this  canal  would  be  $5  85 

Tolls  for  carrying  the  same  freight  along  the 
proposed  rail  road  at  the  same  rate  per  mile, 
the  distance  being  250  miles,  would  be  3  75 

Amount  of  freight  saved  per  ton  in  favour  of  a 
rail  road,  at  the  same  charge  for  tolls,  would 
be  $2  10 

In  order  however  to  show  the  actual  saving  by 
the  rail  road,  it  is  necessary  to  remark,  that 
the  proposed  charge  along  it,  is  not  1^  cents 
per  ton  each  mile,  as  charged  on  the  canal,  but 
1  cent  per  ton  each  mile,  and  this  will  give  a 
further  advantage  in  favour  of  the  road  on 
each  ton  of  1  25 


Making  the  difference  per  ton  in  favour  of  the 

rail  road,  to  be  $S  35 

Table,  No,  4. 
Estimate  of  the  income  which  the  proposed  rail-road 
from  Baltimore  to  some  point  on  the  Ohio  river,  would  an- 
nually yield,  computing  the  freight  which  would  pass  upon 
this  road  to  be  only  160,000  tons  from  west  to  east,  and  the 
amount  that  would  pass  from  east  to  west,  to  be  50,000 
tons. 

160,000  tons  from  west  to  east  at  1  cent  per 
ton  per  mile,  being  the  New  York  canal 
price,  $375,000  00 

50,000  tons  from  east  to  west  at  3  cents  per 
ton  per  mile,  being  the  New  York  canal 
price,  375,000  00 

Total  amount  of  tolls,  $750,000  00 


on   RAIL    ROADS.  '77 

Table,  No.  5. 
Estimate  of  profits  to  the  holders  of  stock  in  the  proposed  Bal- 
timore and  Ohio  rail-road. 
Expense  of  constructing  the  proposed  road,  being  esti- 
mated at  ^20,000  per  mile,  and  the  distance  being  assumed 
to  be  250  miles,  would  make  the  whole  cost  five  millions  of 
dollars,  $5,000,000  00 


Six  per  cent,  interest  on  the  above  capital 

invested,  would  be  $300,000  00 

Income  from  tolls  as  is  shewn  by  Table, 

No.  4,  750,000  00 


Which  leaves  $450,000  for  repairs,  con- 
tingent expenses,  and  surplus  dividends,     $450,000  00 

Table,  No.  6. 
Estimated  difference  of  the  time  it  would  take  for  con- 
veying freight  from  Baltimore  to  Pittsburg,  by  the  proposed 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,  between  those  places,  (through 
the  District  of  Columbia,)  and  by  a  direct  rail  road  from 
Baltimore  to  some  point  on  the  Ohio  river. 

The  United  States  Engineers,  (page  38,)  estimate  the 
time  it  will  take  to  travel  with  loaded  boats  frona 
Washington  to  Pittsburg,  to  be  188    hours 

The  distance  between  these  points  being  341 
miles,  we  have  only  to  add  the  same  rate 
of  travelling  for  the  additional  distance 
from  Baltimore  to  Washington,  say  48i 
miles,  and  the  additional  time  will  be  261  hours 


Time  employed  in  passing  on  the  proposed 

canals,  from  Baltimore  to   Pittsburg,  21 4i  hours 

There  is  abundant  evidence  to  prove,  from 
authentic   documents  published,  that  the 


78 


ON   RAIL    ROADS. 


rate  of  travelling  upon  rail  roads,  with  the 
locomotive  engines,  in  England,  (and  this 
has  been  sufficiently  shewn  to  be  the  cheap- 
est means,)  is,  with  heavy  loaded  wagons, 
from  4  miles  to  6  miles,  and  even  8  miles 
per  hour;  assuming  however  the  slowest 
rate,  and  the  passage  will  be  made  from 
Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  river,  say  250  miles, 
at  the  rate  of  4  miles  per  hour,  is,  62i  hours 


Time  saved  in  favour  of  the  rail  road,  each 
trip,  152    hours 

Table,  No.  7. 

Synopsis  of  the  six  preceding  Tables, 

Table  1. 

Distance  between  Baltimore  and  Pittsburg,  by 

the  proposed  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,        390  miles 

Distance  from  Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  river,  by 
the  proposed  rail  road,  250 


Distance  saved  by  the  road,  140  miles 

Table  2. 

Smallest  estimated  cost  of  the  proposed  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  canal,  ^12,000,000 

Highest  estimated  cost  of  the  contemplated  rail 

road,  5,000,000 


Amount  of  capital  saved  in  favour  of  the  road,    $7,000,000 

Table  3. 

Cost  of  transporting,  for  tolls  only,  on  a  ton  of 
freight  from  Pittsburg  to  Baltimore,  upon  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal,  $5  85 

Cost  of  same  transportation  by  the  proposed  rail 

road,  2  50 

Tolls  saved  on  each  ton,  by  the  rail  road,  $3  35 


ON   RAIL   ROAD*.  79 

Tables  4  &  5. 
Annual  income  from  tolls  upon  the  proposed  rail 

road,  $750,000 

Six  per  cent,  interest  on  the  capital  invested,  300,0u0 


Annual  surplus  profits  to  be  appropriated  for  re- 
pairs and  extra  dividends,  $450,000 

Table  6. 

Tfrnc  employed  in  passing  a  boat  from  Baltimore 
to  Pittsburg,  by  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  ca- 
nal, 214i  hours 

Time  to  pass  from  Baltimore  to  the  Ohio  river, 

upon  the  proposed  rail  road,  62i  hours 


Time  saved  by  the  road,  each  trip,  152    hours 


THE  DISEASE  IN  PEAR  TREES. 

This  very  alarming  complaint  has  appeared  to  increase 
within  the  last  two  j'ears,  and  since  the  publication  of  our 
last  number  there  is  much  additional  evidence,  tending  to 
confirm  the  opinions  which  we  have  uniformly  expressed, 
that  it  is  the  work  of  insects;  of  the  larva  of  some  wood 
eating  insect.  Our  opinions  were  founded  on  the  following 
facts,  that  the  disease  made  its  appearance  in  the  healthiest 
trees;  that  it  appeared  in  trees  growing  in  all  sorts  of  soils; 
in  lands  manured  highly,  and  in  lands,  which  had  never 
been  manured  ;  that  there  were  no  preceding  symptoms  of 
disease,  and  no  succeeding  ones  after  the  extirpation  of  the 
diseased  parts,  except  with  the  same  appearances;  in  other 
words,  the  rest  of  the  trees  continued  to  enjoy  good  health, 
but  above  all,  that  the  disease  always  appears  at  the  same 
season  of  the  year,  which  corresponds  with  the  period  of 
the  appearance  of  the  insect. 


80  DISEASE   IN    PEAR    TREES. 

There  never  would  have  been  any  doubt  on  the  subject 
if  persons  had  detected  the  depredator,  but  it  had  never 
been  seen  except  by  Professor  Peck,  and  Mr.  Lowell. 
The  former  saw  the  insect  in  the  branch,  and  found  it  to 
be  a  wood  eating  insect  of  a  genus  well  known  as  a  destruc- 
tive one. 

This  spring,  in  April,  Benjamin  Gorham,  Esq.  brought 
to  us  a  twig  of  a  decayed  pear  branch,  in  which  was  the 
larva  of  a  wood  eating  insect  alive;  it  is  now  before  us  to- 
gether with  the  twig.  The  larva  is  white,  and  about  half 
an  inch  long;  the  heart  of  the  twig  is  wholly  eaten  out, 
and  some  of  the  alburnum.  Its  ravages  were  quite  great 
€nough  to  destroy  all  the  twigs  above  it  and  some  distance 
below.  We  must  acknowledge  that  we  have  some  doubts 
whether  this  is  the  larva  of  the  Scolytus  Pyri,  described 
by  Mr.  Peck;  it  seems  to  us  to  be  too  large  for  it.  We 
have  seen  still  more  convincing  proofs  that  the  disease  in 
the  pear  tree  is  the  work  of  an  insect.  Last  year  several 
fine  pear  trees,  in  the  garden  of  E.  Hersey  Derby,  Esq.  in 
Salem,  were  attacked  with  precisely  the  same  symptoms 
■which  have  been  described  by  others,  and  long  known 
■under  the  name  of  fire  blight.  The  limbs,  and  leaves,  and 
;fruit,  became  black  and  hard  in  the  space  of  a  few  days. 
On  a  thorough  examination  of  the  diseased  limbs,  there 
were  the  most  marked  proofs  of  the  ravages  of  insects. 
Mr.  Derby  brought  several  pieces  of  the  wood  to  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society,  for  pro- 
moting Agriculture,  and  the  same  were  examined ;  no 
>doubt  could  be  entertained  that  these  limbs  at  least  had 
been  destroyed  by  insects.  Mr.  Derby  himself  said  he 
had  no  doubt  of  it.  Whether  the  insect  which  destroyed 
Mr.  Derby's  tfees  was  the  Scolytus,  or  another  undisco- 
Tcred  enemy,  Ave  cannot  say.  The  injury  appeared  to  be^ 
more  extensive  than  we  should  apprehend  that  which  the 
Scolytus  could  make.  Time,  and  careful  attention  will  ex- 
plain this  mysterious  afTection  of  the  pear  tree. 


ORCHARD    GRASS.  81 

ORCHARD  GRASS. 

As  we  gave  great  praise  to  this  grass  in  our  last  number, 
and  have  spoken  favorably  of  it  in  the  present  one,  we 
should  be  guilty  of  unfairness  should  we  fail  to  publish  the 
following  letter  from  a  correspondent  of  the  American 
Farmer,  who  appears  to  be  experimentally  acquainted 
with  it,  and  who  writes  in  a  fair  and  impartial  manner  on 
the  subject.  Our  own  knowledge  has  been  derived  from 
John  Prince,  Esq.,  and  we  have  always  understood  from 
him,  that  it  was  as  valuable  for  hay  as  it  most  unquestiona- 
bly is  for  soiling  and  pasture. 


Union-  Town ,  May  19,1827. 

Sir, — The  introduction  and  culture  of  the  grasses  has 
been  (where  they  have  been  properly  attended  to,)  of  im- 
mense benefit  to  the  agriculturist  in  this  country,  as  well  as 
elsewhere,  in  the  general  improvement  of  his  farm  and  im- 
mediate profits  of  his  stock.  So  far  as  we  have  gone  into 
the  system,  and  varied  it  to  suit  the  peculiarities  of  our  cli- 
mate, so  far  we  have  done  well.  But,  in  general,  we  have 
been  too  much  disposed  to  take  up  the  views  and  practices 
as  they  are  handed  to  us  from  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
It  is  certainly  right  that  we  try  whatever  their  system  re- 
commends to  us,  but  it  is  not  right  that  we  be  satisfied  only 
to  try  it  in  their  way.  Here,  indeed,  is  our  error.  We 
must  do  exactly  as  they  have  done  ;  and  if  the  result  is 
bad,  the  course  is  condemned  and  abandoned  as  one  that 
is  ruinous,  or  comparatively  bad.  And  all  this,  perhaps, 
for  the  want  of  a  little  attention  and  management  in  mat- 
ters, so  as  to  suit  it  to  the  peculiarities  of  our  climate,  and 
the  general  principles  by  which  we  regulate  our  farms. 

These  reflections  have  grown  out  of  some  observations 
made  by  the  writer  of  this  article  (among  other  matters,) 
on  the  culture  and  application  of  the  orchard-grass,  (Dac- 
tylis  glomerala.)  Great  efforts  were  made  to  introduce  it 
into   use  as  a  grass  for  hay,  and  so  successful  was  Mr. 

Vol.  X.  11 


S3  ORCHARD   GRASS. 

P ,  in  the  introduction  of  it  into  the  neighborhood  of 

Philadelphia,  that  it  has  nearly  driven  that  best  of  all 
grasses  for  hay,  (timothy,)  out  of  their  meadows.  But 
with  us,  it  has  not  been  so.  The  rage  is  over.  It  was 
found,  as  a  hay-grass,  to  fall  very  far  below  the  expecta- 
tions excited  by  the  extraordinary  representations  of  its 
friends.  The  grass,  when  made  into  hay,  was  found  to  be 
light  and  weak,  when  compared  with  timothy,  and  by  no 
means  proper  to  be  substituted  for  that  grass  in  our  mea" 
dows,  and  therefore  to  be  abandoned  altogether. 

Now,  in  our  opinion,  the  whole  of  this  is  wrong.  It  was 
wrong  in  the  friends  of  orchard  grass  to  have  made  it  every 
thing,  and  above  every  thing  of  its  kind  ;  and  it  was  equal- 
ly wrong  in  him  who  tried  it  to  have  been  discouraged  when 
he  found  it  would  not  answer  for  hay.  He  should  have  set 
his  head  to  work,  and  his  hands  too,  to  know  if  it  could  not 
be  used  to  more  or  better  advantage  in  some  other  way; 
and  whether  it  might  not  be  a  useful  auxiliary  in  grazing 
or  soiling.  Our  own  observations  and  experience  have 
led  us  to  believe  that  it  might  be  introduced  in  this  way 
to  great  advantage.  I  will  here  throw  together  some  of  its 
valuable  properties  as  a  grass  for  that  purpose. 

It  is  an  early  grass.  In  general  it  will  afford  a  sufficient 
growth  of  vegetation  to  turn  on  by  the  middle  of  April.  It 
is  rapid  in  its  growth.  No  grass  that  we  have  can  exceed 
it  in  putting  forth,  after  it  has  been  eaten  off.  It  is  abun- 
dant in  foliage.  The  flowering  stems  are  few,  comparative- 
ly, and  by  proper  management  in  eating  it  off,  the  whole 
may  be  consumed.  In  times  of  excessive  drought,  it  will 
be  refreshed  and  grow  vigorously  from  showers  that  would 
make  no  impression  on  the  clover  crop.  Its  roots,  being 
near  the  surface,  immediately  drink  in  the  refreshing  show- 
er as  soon  as  it  touches  the  earth  ;  while  the  tap  root  of  the 
clover,  waiting  for  the  earth  to  become  saturated,  is  disap- 
pointed by  the  exhalations  of  the  superficial  moisture,  and 
again  droops  its  half  withered  leaf.  The  fibrous  lateral 
roots  of  the  orchard  grass,  in  conjunction  with  the  circum- 
stance of  its  not  forming  into  a  compact  sod,  but  each  tuft 
being  separate  from  the  others,  gives  us  a  high  opinion  of 


ORCHARD    GRASS.  83 

its  adaptation  to  our  climate.  In  this  respect  it  has  the 
same  advantage  over  clover  that  corn  has  over  root  crops. 
However,  we  are  not  at  all  disposed  to  think  that  it  ought 
to  supersede  the  culture  of  clover.  For  the  improvement 
of  land,  no  grass  has  yet  been  found  to  equal  clover;  in 
this  respect  it  stands  first.  What  we  have  stated,  is  only 
to  show  that  orchard  grass  would  be  a  valuable  auxiliary 
to  the  grazier,  and  should  cover  a  part  of  his  grazing 
ground.  Every  man  must  know  that  has  fattened  cattle 
on  grass,  how  important  it  is  to  get  them  out  early,  while 
the  weather  is  comparatively  cool,  and  before  the  flies  be- 
gin to  worry  them,  so  that  they  can  neither  eat  nor  rest  in 
the  day  time.  And  who  does  not  know  the  importance  of 
meadow  pasture,  natural  and  artificial,  of  the  spire  grass 
kind,  to  finish  the  fattening  in  the  closing  of  the  season. 
After  harvest,  clover  is  generally  good  for  nothing  to  fatten 
stock :  for  if  it  be  a  wet  season,  they  slabber  all  their  sub- 
stance away  ;  and  if  dry,  which  is  mostly  the  case,  there 
is  nothing  to  eat.  Here,  then,  a  grass  is  offered  to  us  that 
supplies  the  defects  of  clover,  and  will  answer  all  the  pur- 
poses of  meadow  for  late  pasture.  Should  such  a  grass  be 
entirely  excluded  from  our  system  ?  Or  should  we  not 
rather  use  it  to  promote  our  prosperity  in  the  way  it  offers, 
and  which  is  most  suitable  to  its  nature  ?  Z. 


POTATOES. 

We  have,  at  various  times,  said  much  about  the  impor- 
tance of  attending  more  than  we  have  ever  yet  done  to  the 
qualities  of  our  potatoes  as  food  ;  to  their  fitness  for  the 
table.  We  may  be  said  to  eat  the  worst  potatoes  in  Mas- 
sachusetts [not  Maine  where  they  have  the  best]  of  any 
State  which  pretends  to  raise  them. 

The  old  red  Cranberry  potato  was  a  good  one,  and  was 
thought  to  be  extinct.  Last  year  we  met  with  them  again 
very  large  and  fair,  but  their  goodness  was  gone.  The 
history  given  to  us  of  them  was,  that  when  they  had  nearly 
run  out  here,  they  were  sent  to  the  eastern  part  of  Maine, 
where  they  revived  and   flourished,  and  were  sent  back 


84i;  POTATOES. 

again  to  Boston.  We  bought  a  bushel  or  two,  and  planted 
them;  they  produced  miserably,  and  were  utterly  worth- 
less.    We  consider  them  as  run  out. 

The  Chenango  potato,  a  Pennsylvania  variety,  we  ear- 
nestly recommend  as  valuable  for  the  table.  It  is  remark- 
ably early ;  very  fair  sized  potatoes  can  be  had  from  them 
in  sixty  days. 

We  had  till  this  year  supposed  that  their  great  excellence 
consisted  in  their  being  fine  in  summer  and  fall.  We  cai) 
now  add  that  they  continued  fine  till  the  20th  of  May,  and 
are  now,  on  the  6th  of  June,  better  than  any  we  have. 

We  have  spoken  highly  of  the  Foxite  potato,  which  is  the 
great  favorite  in  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  preferred  to  the 
Chenango.  It  is  a  late  potato,  and  not  so  showy  as  the 
Chenango.  We  had  supposed  that  the  Foxite  was  a  varie- 
ty produced  in  Pennsylvania,  but  we  find  them  claimed  as 
a  New  Jersey  production  by  Mr.  Buck,  of  Bridgeion,  New 
Jersey.  In  a  letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  American  Farmer, 
he  says,  "  with  respect  to  the  Foxite  potato,  I  can  truly  say 
that  they  deserve  all  the  commendations  you  have  heard 
of  them  ;  they  are  certainly  the  finest  potato  cultivated  in 
this  country,  remarkably  white  and  mealy;  and  to  use  the 
expression  of  a  gentleman  with  whom  I  was  conversing  on 
the  subject  and  who  has  raised  them  for  some  years,  '  they 
are  as  much  superior  to  other  potatoes  as  the  best  superfine 
wheat  flour  is  to  common  rye  flour;'  the  only  objection  to 
them  is,  that  they  are  poor  bearers,  and  yield  so  badly  as 
to  discournge  their  cultivation.  We  grow  another  potato 
here  called  the  Mercer  potato,  which  is  next  in  repute  for 
the  table  and  yields  bountifully." 

So  far  Mr.  Buck's  authority,  which  we  can  confirm  from 
experience  in  all  points,  except  that  we  have  found  it  a 
very  fair  bearer.  But  until  we  can  come  to  the  European 
rule,  which  is  to  select  the  best  eating  potato  for  the  table, 
and  resting  contented  with  small  crops,  we  shall  never  have 
good  ones  on  our  tables.  Every  good  variety  of  potato  in 
France,  Great  Britain,  and  America,  are  small  bearers 
compared  with  the  coarser,  or  what  we  may  call  the  cattle 


POTATOES.  85 

sorts.  The  mangel  wurtzel  beet  is  a  much  greater  bearer 
than  the  blood  red,  yet  who  would  put  the  mangel  wurtzel 
on  the  table?  We  can  furnish  those  who  may  be  disposed 
next  year  or  the  present  to  try  the  Foxite  or  Chenango 
with  seed  potatoes.  There  is  a  celebrated  potato  in  Rhode 
Island  called  the  Elam,  which  we  have  now  under  trial 
here. 


ANNUAL   CATTLE   SHOW. 

The,  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  promotion  of 
Agriculture,  encouraged  by  the  patronage  of  the  Legislature 
of  this  State,  intend  to  offer  in  premiums,  not  only  the  sum 
granted  by  the  Government  for  that  purpose,  but  also  the 
whole  amount  of  the  income  of  their  own  funds.  They  there- 
fore announce  to  the  public  their  intention  to  have  a  Cattle 
Show  and  exhibition  of  Manufactures,  (^c.  at  Brighton,  on 
Wednesday  the  Mth  of  October  1827 — O^The  whole  busi- 
ness to  be  transacted  in  one  day  insttad  of  two  as  heretofore. 
The  following  premiums  are  offered. 

FOR    STOCK. 

For  the  best  Bull,  raised  in  Massachusetts,  above  one 

year  old            -             -             .             .             .  |30 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              -             -             -  20 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              -             -             -  10 
For  the  best  Bull  Calf,  from  five  to  twelve  months  old      15 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              -             -             -  10 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              ...  5 

For  the  best  Cow,  not  less  than  three  years  old     -  30 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.               -             -             -  20 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.             -             -             -  15 

For  the  best  Heifer  (having  had  a  calf,)  -             -  15 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              -             -             -  10 

For  the  best  Heifer,  (not  having  had  a  calf,)         -  12 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.             -             -             -  10 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.             ...  8 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.              -             .             -  6 

For  the  best  Ox,  fitted  for  slaughter,  regard  to  be  had 
to,  and  a  particular  statement  to  be  given  of,  the  mode 

and  expense  of  fatting,              -            -            -  25 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.             ...  so 


86  PREMIUMS. 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  ...  10 

For  the  best  pair  of  Working  Oxen  -  -  25 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  -  -  20 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  ...  15 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  -  -  12 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  ...  8 

[No  oxen  will  be  admitted  to  trial  as  working  oxen  under 
four  years  old.] 

For  the  best  Merino  Ram  -  -  -  15 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  -  -  10 

For  the  best  Merino  Ewes,  not  less  than  five  in  number  20 
For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  do.       -  -  -  10 

For  the  best  Boar,  not  exceeding  two  years  old,  to  be 

kept  at  least  one  year  for  breeding,      -  -  12 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  .  .  -  8 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  .  _  -  fi 

For  the  best  Sow,  to  be  kept  at  least  one  year  for 

breeding,  -  -  -  -  -  12 

For  the  next  best,  do.       -  -  .  -  8 

For  the  next  best,  do.       .  -  .  -  5 

For  the  best  Pigs,  not  less  than  two  in  number,  nor  less 

than  four  months  old,  nor  more  than  eight         -  10 

For  the  next  best,  do.       -  -  -  .  5 

None  of  the  above  animals  will  be  entitled  to  premiums, 
unless  they  are  wholly  bred  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts, 

Any  of  the  above  slock,  when  raised  and  still  owned  at 
the  time  of  the  exhibition  by  the  person  who  raised  them, 
will  entitle  the  claimant  to  an  allowance  often  per  cent,  in 
addition.  But  sheep,  to  be  entitled  to  any  of  the  above 
premiums,  must  be  raised  by  the  person  entering  them. 

NEW    PREMIUMS    FOR    SHEEP. 

For  the  best  Dishley  or  New  Leicester  Ram       -  $\5 

For  the  best,  do.  do.  Ewe  -  -  -  15 

For  the  best  South  Down  Ram    -  -  -  15 

For  the  best,  do.  Ewe       -  -  -  -  15 

The  above  four  premiums  will  be  awarded  on  sheep  ei- 
ther imported  or  raised  in  the  state. 

The  persons  claiming  these  premiums  to  engage  to  keep 
the  imported  animals  within  the  state. 


PREMIUMS.  87 

No  animal,  for  which  to  any  owner  one  premium  shall 
have  been  awarded,  shall  be  considered  a  subject  for  any 
future  premium  of  the  Society,  except  it  be  for  an  entirely 
distinct  premium,  and  for  qualities  different  from  those  for 
which  the  former  premium  was  awarded. — Any  animal 
lohich  shall  have  obtained  a  premium  as  a  Milch  Heifer  shall 
not  afterwards  he  entered  for  premium  as  a  Milch  Cozo. 

FOR  GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS. 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Indian  Corn  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  o/ie  hundred 
bushels  .....  ^20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
vegetables,  (grain,  peas  and  beans  excepted,)  for  win- 
ter consumption,  of  the  stock  of  his  own  farm,  and 
not  for  sale,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  farm  and 
stock  kept,  having  regard  to  the  respective  value  of 
said  vegetables  as  food,  stating  the  expense  of  raising 
the  same,  and  the  best  mode  of  preserving  the  same 
through  the  winter        ....  30 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Winter  Wheat  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  thirty  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Spring  Wheat  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  thirty  bushels     20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Barley  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  forty-five  bushels        20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Rye  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  thirty  bushels     -  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  crop  of  Mil- 
let on  an  acre,  cut  and  cured  for  hay,  not  less  than 
three  tons,  the  claimant  giving  evidence  of  the  time  of 
sowing,  the  quantity  of  seed  sown,  and  the  quantity 
of  hay  produced  ....  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Carrots  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Potatoes  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  five  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
common  Beets  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred 
bushels  -----  20 


88  FREMIUMS. 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of  Su- 
gar Beets  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Parsnips  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  four  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Mangel  Wurlzel  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred 
bushels  -----  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of  Ru- 
ta  Baga  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred  bushels    20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Turnips  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of  On- 
ions on  an  acre,  not  less  than  six  hundred  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
Cabbages  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  twenty-five  tons' 
weight,  free  from  earth  when  weighed  -  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of 
dry  Peas  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  thirty  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  raise  the  greatest  quantity  of  dry 
Beans  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  thirty  bushels  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  give  proof  of  having  produced 
the  largest  quantity  of  dressed   Flax,  raised  on  half 
an  acre,and  not  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  20 
To  entitle  himself  to  either  of  the  premiums  for  Grain 

or  Vegetable  crops,  the  person  claiming  must  cultivate  a 

tract  of  at  least  one  acre  in  one  piece,  with  the  plant  or 

production  for  which  he  claims  a  premium,  and  must  state 

in  writing,  under  oath  of  himself,  and  one  other  person, 

(accompanied  by  a  certificate  of   the   measurement  of  the 

land  by  some  sworn  surveyor,)  the  following  particulars: 

1.  The  state  and  quality  of  the  land  in  the  springof  1827. 

2.  The  product  and  general  state  of  cultivation  and  quan- 
tity of  manure  employed  on  it  the  year  preceding. 

3.  The  quantity  of  manure  used  the  present  season. 

4.  The  quantity  of  seed  used,  and  if  Potatoes,  the  sort. 

5.  The  time  and  manner  of  sowing,  weeding,  and  har- 
vesting the  crop,  and  the  amount  of  the  product,  ascertained 
by  actual  measurement,  after  the  whole  produce,  for  which 


PREMIUMS.  89 

a  premium  is  claimed,  is  harvested,  and  the  entire  expense 
of  cultivation. 

6.  In  regard  to  Indian  Corn,  the  entire  crop  of  the  acre 
offered  for  premium,  if  shelled,  must  be  measured  between 
the  ]5th  November  and  1st  December.  If  not  shelled,  the 
whole  must  be  weighed  within  the  same  dates,  and  the 
trustees  have  determined  to  consider  seventy-Jive  pounds  of 
corn  and  cob  as  equivalent  to  one  bushel  of  shelled  corn. 

And  in  relation  to  all  vegetables,  (except  Potatoes,  On- 
ions, and  common  Turnips,)  at  least  forii/  bushels  must  be 
weighed,  and  Jifly-six  pounds  will  be  considered  as  equal  to 
one  bushel,  free  from  dirt. 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENTS. 

For  a  mode  of  extirpating  the  worm  that  attacks  the  Lo- 
cust Tree,  which  shall  appear  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Trustees  to  be  effectual       -  -  -  |50 

For  a  mode,  hitherto  unknown,  to  extirpate  the  Borer 
that  attacks  the  Apple  Tree,  which  shall  appear  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Trustees  to  be  effectual  and 
cheaper  than  any  mode  now  in  use       -  -  50 

To  the  person  who  shall  give  satisfactory  evidence  on 
''  Soihng  Cattle,"  not  less  than  six  in  number,  and 
through  the  whole  season,  together  with  a  particular 
account  of  the  food  given,  and  how  cultivated  30 

To  the  person  who  shall  make  the  experiment  of  turn- 
ing in  Green  Crops  as  a  manure,  on  a  tract  not  less 
than  one  acre,  and  prove  its  utility  and  cheapness, 
giving  a  particular  account  of  the  process  and  its  re- 
sult       20 

To  the  person  who  shall  prove  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Trustees,  that  his  mode  of  rearing,  feeding,  and  fat- 
tening Neat  Cattle  is  best         -  -  -  20 

To  the  person  who  shall  prove  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Trustees,  the  utility  and  comparative  value  of  the 
Cobs  of  Indian  Corn,  when  used  with  or  without  the 
grain  itself,  ground  or  broken  -  -  20 

The  claim  under  the  two  last  heads,  together  with  the 
Vol.  X.  12 


9(>-  PREMHJMS. 

evidences  of  the  actual  product,  must  be  delivered,  free  of 
expense,  to  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.  in  Boston,  Assistant  Re- 
cording Secretary  of  this  Society,  on  or  before  the  first  day 
of  December  next — the  Trustees  not  intending  to  decide 
upon  claims  under  the  head  of  Agricultural  Experiments, 
until  their  meeting  in  December. 

BUTTER,    CHEESE,   HONEY,    CIDER,    CURRANT    WINE. 

To  the  person  who  shall  take  up  in  the  season,  on  his 
own  farm,  the  greatest  quantity  of  good  Honey,  and 
shall  at  the  same  time  exhibit  superior  skill  in  the 
management  of  Bees.  [If  there  be  any  thing  suppos- 
ed to  be  new  in  the  management,  the  same  to  be  com- 
municated in  writing.]  -  _  .  ^lO 
For  the  best  Cheese  not  less  than  one  year  old,  and  not 

less  in  quantity  than  one  hundred  pounds         -  10 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  -  -  5 

For  the  next  best  Cheese  less  than  one  year  old  -  *  10 
For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  >  -  -  5 

For  the  best  Butter,  not  less  than  fifty  pounds      -  15 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  -  -  10 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  _  -  _  7 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  _  _  _  5 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Butter  and  Cheese,  made 
between  the  15th  of  May,  and  the  1st  of  October, 
fron»  not  less  than  four  cows,  the  quantity  of  butter  and 
cheese,  and  the  number  of  cows,  to  be  taken  into  consi- 
deration, and  specimens  to  be  exhibited  at  the  Show,  of 
not  less  than  twenty  pounds  of  each,  and  the  mode  of 
feeding,  if  any  thing  besides  pasture  was  used  20 

For  the  best  specimen  of  Cider,  not  less  than  one  bar- 
rel, made  in  1826,  manufactured  by  the  person  who 
shall  exhibit  the  same,  and  from  apples  grown  on  his 
own  farm         -  -  -  -  -  15 

For  the  second  best  barrel  -  -  -  10 

The  person  obtaining  the  first  premium  shall  be  entitled 
ta  a  further  sum  of  |5,  as  a  compensation  for  the  premium 
barrel  of  Cider,  which  will  be  retained  and  used  at  the 
Show  Dinner,  in  order  that  he  may  have  the  credit  of  it. 


TREMIUMS.  91 

[These  premiums  will  be  continued  in  future  years.  Per- 
sons claiming  them  must  state,  in  writing,  their  process  of 
making  and  managing  their  cider,  and  the  kind  of  apples 
used.] 

For  the  best  specimen  of  Currant  Wine,  not  less  than 
one  gallon,  exhibited  by  any  person  who  shall  have 
made  not  less  than  30  gallons,  in  the  same  season  in 
which  that  which  shall  be  exhibited  was  made,  (a 
statement  to  be  given,  in  writing,  of  the  process  of 
making  the  same,)        -   .  -  -  -  ^10 

For  the  next  best,  do.      -  -  -  -  5 

FOR    INVENTIONS. 

To  the  person  who  shall  use  the  Drill  Plough  or  Ma- 
chine, and  apply  it  most  successfully  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  any  small  grains  or  seeds,  on  a  scale  of  not 
less  than  one  acre        -  -  -  -  ^20 

To  the  person  who  shall  invent  the  best  Machine  for 
pulverising  and  grinding  Plaster  to  the  fineness  of 
twenty-five  bushels  per  ton,  and  which  shall  require 
no  more  power  than  a  pair  of  oxen  or  a  horse,  to  turn 
out  two  tons  per  day,  and  so  portable  that  it  can  be 
moved  from  one  farm  to  another  without  inconveni- 
ence   ------  30 

To  the  person  who  shall  produce  at  the  Show,  any  other 
Agricultural  Implement,  of  his  own  invention,  which  shall, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Trustees,  deserve  a  reward,  a  pre- 
mium not  exceeding  twenty  dollars,  according  to  the  value 
of  the  article  exhibited. 

In  all  cases  proofs  must  be  given  of  the  work  done  by 
the  Machine,  before  it  is  exhibited;  and  of  its  having  been 
used  and  approved  by  some  practical  farmer. 

Persons  who  have  taken  out  patents  for  their  inventions 
are  not  thereby  excluded  from  claiming  any  of  the  above 
premiums. 

No  claimant  will  be  entitled  to  a  premium,  unless  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Committee,  the  machine  or  implement  pre- 
sented by  him  shall  be  superior  to  any  designed  for  the 
same  use,  which  shall  have  heretofore  gained  a  premium. 


93  PREMIUMS. 

FOR    RAISING    TREES    AND    HEDGES. 

To  the  person  who  shall,  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of 
December,  1829,  produce  proofs  of  having  raised 
the  greatest  amount  in  value  of  Mulberry  Plants, 
either  in  standards,  dwarfs  or  in  hedges,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  the  Silk  Worm,  and  shall  exhibit  not 
less  than  five  pounds  of  unmanufactured  or  raw  silk 
of  his  own  production  .  _  .         $100 

For  the  best  plantation  of  White  Oak  Trees,  not  less 
than  one  acre,  nor  fewer  than  one  thousand  trees  per 
acre,  to  be  raised  from  the  acorn,  a rcl  which  trees 
shall  be  in  the  best  thriving  state  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember 1827      -  -  -  -  -  100 

For  the  best  plantations  of  White  Ash,  Larch  or  Locust 
trees,  each  of  not  less  than  one  acre,  nor  fewer  than 
one  thousand  trees  per  acre,  to  be  raised  from  the 
seeds,  and  which  trees  shall  be  in  the  best  thriving 
state  on  the  1st  of  September,  1827     -  -  50 

For  the  best  Live  Hedge,  made  either  of  W^hite  or 
Cockspur  Thorn,  planted  after  1820,  not  less  than 
one  hundred  rods,  and  Avhich  shall  be  in  the  best 
thriving  state  in  1827  -  .  -  50 

For  the  best  Buckthorn  Hedge,  not  less  than  one  hun- 
dred rods,  and  which  shall  be  in  the  best  thriving 
state  in  1828     -  -  -  -  -  50 

To  the  person  who  shall  have  planted  out  on  his  farm, 
since  the  spring  of  1816,  the  greatest  number  of  Ap- 
ple Trees,  not  less  than  one  hundred  in  number,  and 
who  shall  exhibit  to  the  Trustees,  at  the  Show  in 
1827,  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  having  managed 
them  with  care  and  skill  _  .  .  50 

FOR   DOMESTIC    MANUFACTDRES. 

To  the  person  or  Corporation  who  shall  produce  the 
best  specimen  of  fine  Broadcloth,  not  less  than  1  5-8 
yards  wide,  exclusive  of  the  list,  forty  yards  in  quan- 
tity, and  dyed  in  the  wool        -  -  -  ^20 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         -  -  -  15 


PREMIUMS.  93 

For  the  best  superfine  Cassimere,  not  less  than  3-4  yard 
wide,  nor  less  than  forty  yards  in  quantity       -  12 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  .  -  .  8 

For  the  best  superfine  Sattinel,  3-4  yard  wide,  not  less 
than  fifty  yards  ....  8 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  .  -  -  5 

FOR  HOUSEHOLD  MANUFACTURES. 

For   the  best  Woollen  Cloth,   3-4  yard  wide,  not  less 

than  twenty  yards  in  quantity                -             -  12 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.          .             .             .  8 
For  the  best  double  milled  Kersey,  3-4  yard  wide,  not 

less  than  twenty  yards  in  quantity  -  -  12 
For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  .  .  .  8 
For  the  best  Coating,  3-4  yard  wide,  not  less  than  twen- 
ty yards  in  quantity  ...  -  8 
For  the  second  best.  do.  do.  -  .  -  6 
For- the  best  Flannel  7-8  yard  wide,  not  less  than  forty- 
five  yards  in  quantity  -  -  -  -  10 
For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  .  -  .  7 
For  the  best  yard  wide  Carpeting,  not  less  than  thirty 

yards  in  quantity           -             -             -             -  15 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.          .             -             .  7 
For  the  best  5-8  yard  wide  Stair  Carpeting,  not  less 

than  thirty  yards  in  quantity    -             -             -  10 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  do.                -             -  7 
For  the  best  pair  of  Blankets,  not  less  than  8-4  wide  and 

10-4  long           .....  G 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.  do.                -             -  4 
For  the  best  Woollen  Knit  Hose,  not  less  than  12  pair 

in  number         .....  5 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.          ...  3 
For  the  best  Worsted  Hose,  not  less  than  12  pair  in 

number              .             .             .             -             -  5 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.        -             -             -  3 
For  the  best  Men's  Half  Hose  (woollen)  not  less  than 

12  pair  in  number       -             -            -             -  4 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.        -            -            -  9 


94  PREMIUMS. 

For  the  best  Men's  Woollen  Gloves,  not  less  than   12 

pair  in  number  _  -  _  _  5 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         _  -  _  3 

For  the  best  Linen  Diaper,  5-8  yard  wide,  not  less  than 

30  yards  in  quantity    -  -  -  -  3 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         -  -  -  3 

For  the  best  yard  wide  Diaper  (for  table  linen)  not  less 

than  10  yards  in  quantity         -  -  -  10 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         _  _  -  5 

For  the  best  specimen  of  Sewing  Silk,  raised  and  spun 
in  this  State,  of  good  fast  colours,  not  less  than  one 
pound  -----  5 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         -  _  _  3 

For  the  best  Linen  Cloth,  (for  shirting  or  sheeting)  one 

yard  wide,  and  twenty-five  yards  long  -  8 

For  the  second  best,  do.  do.         _  _  -  4 

•To  the  person  who  shall  produce  the  best  specimen  of 
any  Cotton  Fabrics  manufactured  in  private  families, 
not  less  than  5  pieces  -  -  -  20 

All  of  the  above  manufactures  must  be  manufactured 
.within  the  state  of  Massachusetts.  And  all  manufactures, 
,when  presented,  must  have  a  private  mark,  and  any  pub- 
I'lc  or  known  mark  must  be  completely  concealed,  so  as  not 
to  be  seen  or  known  by  the  Committee,  nor  must  the  Pro- 
prietors be  present  when  they  are  examined  ;  in  default  of 
either  of  these  requisitions,  the  articles  will  not  be  deemed 
entitled  to  a  consideration  or  premium. 

Animals,  or  manufactured  articles,  may  be  offered  for  a 
premium  at  Brighton,  notwithstanding  they  may  have  re- 
ceived a  premium  from  a  County  Agricultural  Society. 

It  is  understood,  that  whenever,  merely  from  want  of 
competition,  any  of  the  claimants  may  be  considered  enti-. 
tied  to  the  premium,  under  a  literal  construction,  yet  if,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Judges,  the  object  so  offered  is  not  de- 
serving of  any  reward,  the  Judges  shall  have  a  right  to 
reject  such  claims.  Persons  to  whom  premiums  shall  be 
awarded,  may,  at  their  option,  have  an  article  of  plate  with 


PREMIUMS.  95 

suitable  inscriptions,  in  lieu  of  morey.  Premiums  will  be 
paid  within  ten  clays  after  they  shall  be  awarded. 

That  in  any  case  in  which  a  pecuniary  premium  is  ofter^ 
ed,  the  Trustees  may,  having  regard  to  the  circumstances 
of  the  competitor,  award  either  one  of  the  Society's  gold  or 
silver  medals  in  lieu  of  the  pecuniary  premium  annexed  to 
the  several  articles. 

That  if  any  competitor  for  any  of  the  Society's  pre- 
miums shall  be  discovered  to  have  used  any  disingenuous 
measures,  by  which  the  objects  of  the  Society  have  been 
defeated,  such  person  shall  not  only  forfeit  the  premium 
which  may  have  been  awarded  to  him,  but  be  rendered 
incapable  of  being  ever  after  a  competitor  for  any  of  the 
Society's  premiums. 

All  premiums  not  demanded  within  six  months  after  they 
shall  have  been  awarded,  shall  be  deemed  as  having  been 
generously  given  to  aid  the  funds  of  the  Society. 

PLOUGHING    MATCH. 

On  the  17th  day  of  October,  Premiums  will  be  given  to 
the  owners  and  ploughmen  of  three  Ploughs,  drawn  by  two 
yoke  of  oxen,  and  to  the  owners  and  ploughmen  of  three 
ploughs  drawn  by  one  yoke  of  oxen,  v/hich  shall  be  ad- 
judged by  a  competent  committee,  to  have  performed  the 
best  work  with  the  least  expense  of  labour,  not  exceeding  half 
an  acre  to  each  plough.  And  that  entries  may  be  made  of 
the  names  of  the  competitors  until  the  morning  of  the  17th. 
Preference  will  be  given  to  those  who  enter  first;  but  if, 
on  calling  the  list  at  the  hour  appointed,  precisely,  those 
first  named  do  not  appear,  the  next  in  order  will  be  pre- 
ferred. There  will  be  two  Committees  of  three  persons 
each — one  to  be  the  judges  of  the  ploughing  by  double 
teams,  the  other  of  the  ploughing  by  single  teams — the  lat- 
tei'  to  have  assigned  to  them  a  part  of  the  field  distinct 
from  that  of  the  double  teams. 

Premiums  as  follows,  (being  the  same  for  the  double  and 

single  teams.) 

First  Plough  $15     Second  Plough  $10     Third  Plough  $6 

Ploughman        8     Ploughman  5     Ploughman         3 

Driver  4     Driver  3     Driver  2 


96  PREMIUMS. 

In  each  cnse,  if  there  be  no  driver,  both  sums  to  be 
awarded  to  the  ploughman. 

■The  persons  intending  to  contend  for  these  Prizes,  must 
give  notice  in  writing  to  J.  Winship,  Esq.  of  Brighton. 
The  competitors  will  also  be  considered  as  agreeing  to 
follow  such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by 
the  Committees  on  the  subject.  The  ploughs  to  be  ready 
to  start  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

0:5"  All  persons  having  articles  or  animals  to  offer  at  the 
Show,  will  please  take  notice,  that  such  alterations  have 
been  made  in  the  arrangement,  as  to  bring  the  whole  into 
one  day — therefore 

All  Mamtfactures  and  Implements  must  be  brought  to  the 
Hall,  and  entered  on  Monday,  the  15th,  to  be  examined  on 
Tuesday,  the  16th. 

Also  Butter,  Cheese,  Honey,  Cider,  and  Currant  Wine 
on  same  day,  for  entry  and  examination. 

All  entries  of  Animals  for  the  Pens,  or  as  Working  Cat- 
tle, must  be  entered  before  Tuesday  evening,  the  16th,  so 
as  to  be  arranged  by  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  Wednes- 
day, the  17th,  for  public  examination. 

The  Ploughing  Matches  will  commence  on  Wednesday 
morning,  at  ^  past  9  o''c\ock  precisely. 

Trial  of  Working  Oxen  at  11  o''c\ock  precisely. 

The  Public  Sales  of  Manufactures  and  Animals  at  12 
o'clock. 

The  applicants  will  be  held  to  a  rigid  compliance  with 
this  rule  relative  to  entries  as  well  as  the  other  rules  pre- 
scribed. 

Besides  such  animals  as  may  have  been  offered  for  Pre- 
miums, any  others  that  are  considered  by  them  as  possess- 
ing fine  qualities  will  be  admitted  for  sale.  And  for  all 
Animals  or  Manufactures,  that  are  intended  to  be  sold,  no- 
tice must  be  given  to  the  Secretary,  before  10  o'clock  of 
the  I7th. — Auctioneers  will  be  provided  by  the  Trustees. 
By  order  of  the  Trustees, 

R.  SULLIVAN,        J.  PRINCE, 
G.  PARSONS,  E.  H.  DERBY, 

January,  1827.  CommitUt. 


MASSACHUSETTS 
AGRICULTURAL  JOURNAL 

Vol.  X.]  JUNE,  1828.  [No.  2. 

THE  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS  AT  THE  BRIGHTON  CATTLE 
SHOW  IN  OCTOBER,  1827. 

r  ROM  the  commencement  of  the  annual  cattle  show  at 
Brighton,  it  has  been  the  invariable  practice  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  prornoting  agricul- 
ture to  publish,  in  their  own  journal,  all  the  reports  of  the 
Committees  appointed  to  award  premiums.  Indeed  it  is 
the  practice  of  all  the  European  societies.  The  French  so- 
ciety for  the  encouragement  of  the  arts,  and  of  agriculture, 
publish  a  volume  of  300  pages,  containing  all  the  details 
of  their  triennial  exhibition.  The  uses  and  benefits  of 
such  a  publication  are  too  obvious  to  require  elucidation. 
It  furnishes  in  a  more  permanent  form,  than  any  newspa- 
per can  secure,  a  history  of  the  progress  of  art,  of  itself 
curious  and  interesting.  It  affords  the  best  evidence  of 
the  activity  and  beneficial  eflfects  of  the  society.  It  is 
the  best  reward,  which  can  be  offered  to  the  intelligent 
and  successful  cultivator,  or  mechanist,  often  of  much 
greater  value  to  him,  than  any  pecuniary  premium.  Hence 
we  invariably  find,  that  inventors  of  useful  implements  are 
very  anxious  to  have  their  inventions  favourably  spoken  of, 
even  if  they  are  judged  not  to  come  within  the  scope  of 
our  premiums. 

Some  persons  may  think,  that  the  publication  in  one 
newspaper  is  sufficient,  and  that  the  pages  of  our  journal 
should  not  be  occupied  by  matter  once  published  in  a»o- 

Vol.  X.  13 


98  PROCEEDINGS    AND    REPORTS 

ther  form.  We  think  otherwise  ;  our  journal  is  taken  by 
many,  who  do  not,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  take  the  valuable 
paper,  the  New  England  Farmer,  in  which  our  reports 
are  first  published.  Such  persons,  having  paid  for  our 
journal,  think  they  have  a  right  to  possess  the  proceed- 
ings of  our  board.  Others,  who  take  the  New  England 
Farmer,  and  are  possessors  of  complete  sets  of  our  jour- 
nal may  prefer  to  have  these  proceedings  in  that  form, 
which  they  may  think  more  convenient  for  preservation. 
There  are  many  persons  who  take  our  journal,  in  other 
states,  who  do  not  take  the  New  England  Farmer. 

These  reasons  have  satisfied  us,  that  the  course  we  have 
adopted  is  a  proper  one.  We  could,  indeed,  withhold  the 
publication  of  our  reports  from  the  public  journals ;  but 
besides  that  such  a  course  would  be  churlish,  or  at  least 
ungracious,  the  competitors  would  be  dissatisfied  with 
such  a  delay.  We  would  hazard  another  remark,  that 
there  is  a  too  strong  disposition  in  all  the  editors  of  public 
journals  to  decline  copying  from  each  other.  The  pub- 
lic, in  consequence,  lose  a  great  amount  of  interesting 
information.  Instead  of  the  result  of  many  intelligent 
minds,  you  obtain  (if  you  take  but  one  or  two  publica- 
tions) only  the  thoughts  and  the  labours  of  the  one  or 
two,  to  which  you  subscribe.  Our  rule  is  different.  We 
select  from  all  sources,  what  we  think  interesting  in 
them. 

For  example. — The  American  Farmer  is  a  very  interest- 
ing work,  more  adapted  to  be  sure,  to  the  state  of  agri- 
culture in  the  middle  and  southern  states  than  to  our  own. 
Few  farmers  in  this  state  ever  see  it.  Yet  there  are  often 
interesting  discussion"  in  that  able  journal,  which  would 
be  read  with  pleasure  and  profit,  by  that  class  of  our 
practical  farmers,  who  have  not  an  instinctive  dread  of 
knowledge,  or  an  unhappy  contempt  for  all,  who  unite 
reading  with  practice.  There  are  two  other  works  of 
another  description,  the  Memoirs  of  tiie  New- York  Agri- 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  99 

cultural  Society,  and  of  the  two  Pennsylvania  Societies ; 
both  of  which  are  full  of  interesting  matter.  We  avow, 
that  we  feel  no  such  pride  of  authorship,  as  to  fill  our 
journal,  with  our  own  remarks,  when  we  perceive,  that 
another  work  seldom  or  never  seen  by  our  citizens,  con- 
tains more  valuable  materials  than  any  which  we  could,  at 
the  time,  furnish. 

In  this  connexion,  we,  with  unfeigned  respect,  and 
with  that  submission,  which  as  good  citizens,  we  are  bound 
to  cherish  towards  the  government,  which  protects  us, 
would  beg  leave  to  advert  to  a  proposition,  made  in  a 
former  legislature,  to  repeal  the  law  affording  a  patronage 
to  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting  agriculture. 
Unquestionably,  it  is  not  only  the  right  but  the  solemn 
duty  of  the  Legislature  to  withdraw  its  support  from  any 
institution,  which  it  may  have  patronized,  whenever  it 
shall  discover  that  its  bounty  has  been  of  no,  or  of  lit- 
tle public  value,  or  if  that  bounty  has  been  misapplied. 
In  the  year  1792  the  Legislature  saw  fit  to  incorporate  a 
body,  comprising  members  from  every  part  of  the  state, 
including  Maine,  for  the  purpose  of  fostering  the  interests 
of  agriculture,  and  of  affording  to  a  class  of  citizens, 
comprising  three  fourths  of  the  whole  population,  the 
means  of  knowing,  not  only  the  improvements  in  their  art, 
which  should  be  made  in  Europe,  but  the  local  improve- 
ments made  by  skilful  and  ingenious  farmers  in  our  own 
country.  The  extent  of  the  patronage  amounted  to  a 
grant  of  a  township  of  Eastern  lands,  then  worth  in  the 
market  about  2000  dollars,  and  the  payment  of  the  ex- 
pense of  printing  their  proceedings,  which  for  many  years 
did  not  exceed  two  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  equivalent 
to  half  of  one  daxps  pay  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature. 
When  our  society  became  more  active,  and  published  two 
numbers  a  year,  it  amounted  to  four  hundred  dollars  a 
year.  For  this  trifling  sum,  the  Massachusetts  Society 
for  promoting  agriculture,  furnished  from  400  to  600  co- 


1.00  PROCEEDINGS   AND    REPORTS 

pies  to  the  members  of  the  Legislature  gratis,  and  thus 
enabled  them  to  carry  home  to  their  respective  towns,  the 
result  of  the  labours  of  the  Society,  and  thus  to  spread 
them  throughout  the  state.  It  may  be  said,  however,  that 
they  were  of  no  value.  It  does  not  become  us  to  say,  that 
they  were  ;  but  we  may  be  permitted  to  state  the  facts, 
that  our  journals  have  been  subscribed  for,  by  many  citi- 
zens of  this  state,  and  of  other  states,  and  of  the  British 
Provinces  adjoining  to  us  ;  that  they  have  been  spoken  of 
with  great  commendation  in  this  country  and  in  Europe  ; 
that  they  have  been  preserved  and  bound  up  by  hundreds 
of  individuals,  and  that  they,  in  fact,  contain,  as  great  a 
mass  of  information  from  practical  farmers,  on  the  great 
subjects  of  agriculture — on  cattle — the  making  of  butter, 
cheese  and  cider,  on  general  cultivation,  and  on  horticul- 
ture, as  can  be  found  in  any  equal  number  of  volumes. 
That  errors  have  been  often  found  in  them,  and  incorrect 
opinions  advanced  is  true,  but  it  is  not  more  true,  than  it 
is  of  other  miscellaneous  journals.  The  only  way  of  eli- 
citing truth  is  a  free  discussion,  and  if  one  writers  err, 
ten  are  found  to  correct  the  error.  The  Massachusetts 
society  for  promoting  agriculture  are  not  benefited  by  the 
grant  in  question. 

The  only  effect  of  withdrawing  it,  would  be,  to  oblige 
them  to  withhold  an  equal  amount  of  premiums,  which 
they  now  grant  to  every  part  of  the  state.  Three  fourths 
of  their  premiums  are  dispersed  in  counties  not  contigu- 
ous to  the  capital.  If  the  agricultural  interest  are  con- 
vinced that  their  art  cannot  be  improved,  or  is  not  im- 
proved by  our  efforts,  or  if  they  think,  that  the  small  boun- 
ty they  now  bestow,  is  productive  of  less  advantage  than 
the  diminutive  sum,  which  they  pay,  they  ought  to  with- 
hold it,  and  we  shall  cheerfully  submit,  and  rely  upon  our 
own  diminished  means,  to  do  as  much  good  as  we  can. 
We  are  free  to  say,  however,  as  we  have  a  right  to  say, 
that  the  policy  of  the  proposed  measure  is  at  least  ques- 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  101 

tionable.  We  are  aware  that  these  remarks  will  be  too 
late  to  aifect  in  any  way  (even  if  they  deserve  it)  the  de- 
cision of  the  Legislature  ;  yet  they  may  produce  some  ef- 
fect on  public  opinion,  and  at  some  future  period,  induce 
the  Legislature  to  grant  something  for  that  great  body, 
who  pay,  and  who,  by  their  industry,  contribute  so  much 
to  the  strength  and  prosperity  of  the  state. 

The  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  can  say  some- 
thing in  their  own  behalf.  While  our  two  public  min- 
isters, Livingston  and  Humphreys,  are  entitled  to  credit 
from  the  introduction  of  Merino  sheep,  it  should  be  recol- 
lected, that  the  Massachusetts  Society  was  the  first  hy  its 
premiums  to  encourage  their  introduction,  and  thus  de- 
stroyed the  monopoly,  which  these  gentlemen,  for  many 
years,  enjoyed.  In  the  same  manner,  they  encouraged  the 
introduction  of  long  woolled  sheep,  and  they  have  been 
the  organs,  through  whom,  many  other  fine  animals  have 
been  introduced  into  the  state.  To  agriculture,  they  have 
been  of  no  small  service,  in  introducing  root  culture,  and 
to  horticulture,  they  humbly  believe,  they  have  rendered 
invaluable  services,  by  introducing  many  culinary  plants, 
now  in  common  use,  and  deemed  indispensable  in  the 
great  markets ;  while  they  have  added  a  long  catalogue 
to  the  mean  list  of  fruits,  which  Massachusetts  possessed 
thirty  years  since.  Still,  if  the  Legislature  esteem  these 
efforts  of  less  value,  than  the  small  annuity,  which  they 
commit  to  them,  as  public  stewards  for  the  general  wel- 
fare, they  will  never  hear  a  word  of  complaint  from  this 
society. 


102  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

Addness  of  the  Hon.  John  Lowell,  President  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Agricultural  Society,  delivered  at  the  public  meet- 
ing of  the  Society  on  the  11  th  inst.  previous  to  the  declara- 
tion of  the  premiums  awarded  to  the  competitors  at  the  Cattle 
Show. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society 
this  year  resolved  to  make  a  very  important  change  in  their 
arrangements — instead  of  extending  their  show  to  two 
successive  days,  they  determined  to  imitate  the  example  of 
other  societies  in  this  state,  by  confining  it  to  one.  It  may 
naturally  be  asked  why  such  a  measure,  so  convenient  to 
competitors,  was  not  adopted  before.  To  this  we  reply 
that  our  situation  was,  in  many  important  respects,  differ- 
ent from  that  of  the  interior  societies.  Our  society  was  a 
general  one,  offering  premiums  throughout  the  whole  state. 
We  had  two  classes  of  competitors — those  in  the  adjacent 
counties  of  Middlesex  and  Norfolk,  and  those  from  the 
most  remote  parts  of  the  state.  With  respect  to  those 
who  came  from  a  great  distance,  it  was  impossible  for 
them  to  return  home,  either  the  night  of  the  show,  or  even 
the  next  night.  It  was  therefore  of  comparatively  small 
moment  to  them,  whether  they  were  or  were  not  detained 
one  night  longer.  With  respect  to  competitors  in  the  ad- 
joining counties,  most  of  them  could  return  home  ihe  first 
day,  and  were  not  competitors  on  the  second.  The  Norfolk 
and  Middlesex  farmers,  who  entered  into  competition  in  the 
ploughing  matches  and  working  cattle,  came  only  on  the 
second  day.  But  to  the  Trustees  themselv.es  and  to  the 
spectators,  the  repetition  was  very  inconvenient,  expensive 
and  tedious.  The  Trustees,  influenced  by  these  consider- 
ations, have  this  year  unanimously  decided  to  try  the  ex- 
periment of  confining  the  exhibition  of  cattle,  the  plough- 
ing match  and  of  working  cattle  to  one  day.  This  change 
obliged  them  to  give  up  all  preparatory  meetings,  and  to 
make  the  day  purely  one  of  business.    The  same  necessity 


AT   THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  103 

obliges  us  to  dispense  with  all  formal  addresses,  and  to 
limit  ourselves  to  the  simple  declaration  of  the  premiums 
awarded,  without  those  explanations  of  the  grounds  upon 
which  the  decisions  are  founded,  which  have  been  usually 
given  on  such  occasions.  Indeed  there  is  less  necessity 
for  such  minuteness.  In  the  origin  of  the  Institution, 
there  were  little  unfounded  jealousies  to  be  overcome — 
there  was  not  that  entire  confidence  in  the  rectitude  and 
fairness  of  the  judges,  to  which  experience  has  demonstrat- 
ed they  were  entitled.  It  was  improperly  viewed  as  the 
exhibition  of  the  more  opulent  farmers,  in  which  a  plain 
cultivator  stood  a  very  humble  chance.  All  these  errors 
and  prejudices  (for  they  were  always  such)  have  been  dis- 
sipated by  time.  The  whole  course  is  so  fair — the  Trus- 
tees have  so  little  agency  in  awarding  the  premiums,  they 
are  so  entirely  under  the  control  of  experienced  graziers 
and  farmers,  that  we  need  no  longer  to  make  apologies  or 
excuses  for  our  decisions.  The  question,  however,  will 
naturally  occur,  and  it  ought,  in  every  successive  year,  to 
be  repeated,  have  these  shows  been  productive  of  serious 
and  lasting  benefits  to  the  agricultural  interests,  or  which 
is  the  same  thing,  to  the  nation  ?  This  is  a  question  of 
fact,  which.every  man  will  settle  in  his  own  mind  according 
to  his  experience,  or  his  prejudices.  For  myself,  I  have 
no  doubt  that  the  effects,  remote  and  immediate,  of  these 
public  exhibitions,  have  been  as  great  as  their  most  san- 
guine friends  anticipated.  I  cannot  better  introduce  a  few 
remarks  on  this  topic,  than  by  a  very  apposite  quotation 
from  a  recent  British  work,  inserted  in  a  late  number  of 
the  New  England  Farmer. 

"  The  great  body  of  cultivators  in  Great  Britain,  whose 
farms  are  of  considerable  extent,  have  generally  received 
a  suitable  education,  by  which  their  minds  are  enlarged ; 
animated  with  a  desire  to  improve  their  condition  in  the 
world,  and  rendered  equally  quick  to  perceive,  and  ready 
to  adopt,  such  improvements  as  may  occasionally  be  pro- 


104  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

posed.  Informer  times,  it  was  objected  that  farmers  were 
obstinate  and  ligoted,  averse  to  every  kind  of  innovation 
upon  established  practice,  and  persisting  in  ancient  sys- 
tems, even  after  their  deficiency  and  inutility  had  been 
ascertained  in  the  most  decisive  manner.  Whatever  truth 
there  might  formerly  be  in  the  objection,  its  force  is  now 
completely  removed,  there  being  no  set  of  men  whatever  more 
open  to  conviction  or  more  willing  to  adopt  new  practices, 
than  the  British  farmers  of  the  present  day.  This  change 
of  disposition  has  been  accomplished  by  a  general  circu- 
lation of  agricultural  knowledge,  since  the  National  Board 
of  Agriculture  was  established,  by  numerous  periodical 
publications  on  rural  economy,  and  by  that  increase  of 
wealth  which  flowed  from  the  exertions  of  the  farmer,  and 
which  naturally  stimulated  a  search  after  new  improve- 
ments. According  to  the  measure  of  attention  bestowed 
upon  the  education  of  farmers,  it  may  be  expected  that 
improvement  will  hereafter  advance.  A  man  of  unculti- 
vated mind  may  hold  a  plough,  or  drive  a  harrow  in  a  suf- 
ficient manner,  but  he  will  seldom  introduce  an  improve 
ment,  or  be  the  means  of  effecting  any  change  in  the  estab- 
lished system  of  rural  economy." — Brown's  Treatise  on, 
Agriculture. 

This  extract  from  a  British  work  is  truly  cheering  to  the 
friends  of  agricultural  improvement  in  our  country.  I 
know  my  audience  too  thoroughly  to  rely  upon  their  un- 
qualified acceptance  of  the  truths  therein  alleged  without 
due  evidence.  We  of  New  England,  are  a  cautious  and 
thinking  people,  slow  in  adopting  new  opinions.  Long 
may  we  continue  such.  Well,  then,  are  the  facts  stated 
by  the  writer  true,  as  respects  England  ?  They  are  within 
my  own  personal  knowledge,  derived  from  authentic  docu- 
ments, and  ocular  evidence,  strictly  true,  and  in  no  degree 
exaggerated.  British  agriculture  in  1780,  when  the  Royal 
Institution  for  its  promotion,  was  founded  by  Parliament 
with  an  ample  donation  of  ^22,000  a  year,  was  in  a  better 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  105 

state  than  ours  is  at  the  present  time.  Yet  the  progress 
has  been  so  great  in  Great  Britain  since  the  establishment 
of  the  National  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  of  the  Bath  and 
West  of  England  Society,  for  the  promotion  of  the  same 
objects,  that  it  has  been  fully  proved  by  official  documents, 
that  the  produce  of  British  farming  industry,  with  a  worse 
climate  and  soil,  is  to  that  of  France,  taking  the  number 
of  acres  and  of  labourers  into  view,  nearly  as  two  to  one. 
Let  us  illustrate  this  important  fact  by  reference  to  one 
successful  cultivator.  Mr.  Coke,  of  Norfolk,  whose  name 
ought  to  be  familiar  with. every  American  as  well  as  Brit- 
ish farmer,  inherited  some  thirty-five  years  since,  a  great 
landed  estate  in  Norfolk,  the  whole  rental  of  which  was 
only  £2000,  or  ^8800  a  year.  Being  an  active  and  intel- 
ligent man,  he  introduced  the  Tullian  husbandry,  which 
consists  in  frequent  rotations  of  crops,  and  in  sowing  in 
drills;  in  short,  in  a  more  spirited  use  of  the  plough  and 
other  improved  instruments.  In  the  life  time  of  this  one 
man,  and  he  is  still  alive,  by  the  plough  alone,  and  by 
adopting  proper  successions  of  plants,  he  has  raised  his 
rental  from  $8800  to  $200,000  a  year ;  in  other  words,  in- 
creased the  value  of  his  estate  24  times.  No  speculations 
in  banks,  no  mining  discoveries — no,  not  even  Potosi,  in 
its  virgin  state  when  silver  was  found  upon  the  surface, 
can  show  such  an  appreciation  of  property  as  has  been 
produced  by  skill,  enlightened  skill,  applied  to  the  surface. 

Yet  all  this  has  been  effected  by  tenants,  not  owners 
of  the  soil,  but  under  leases  for  21  years,  subject  to  the 
hazards  of  a  refusul  to  renew  the  leases,  by  a  less  enlight- 
ened heir.  These  are  facts  not  to  be  disputed,  and  they 
prove  that  agriculture  in  the  short  space  of  one  man's  life, 
has  undergone  improvements  of  which  antiquity  had  no 
conception. 

Is  it  possible  that  the  freemen  of  this  country,  owners  of 
the  soil,  are  not  as  capable  of  improving  the  condition  of 
their  farms  ?  Most  assuredly,  they  are  so — they  are  doing 

Vol.  X.  14 


106  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

it  as  rapidly  as  could  be  expected,  and  they  are  alive  to 
the  advantages  afforded  to  them  by  the  attention  paid  to 
the  subject,  by  well  informed  men;  by  the  circulation  of 
facts  and  experiments  in  useful  periodical  journals.  The 
very  fact  that  such  journals  are  so  generalhj  patronized,  is 
of  itself  conclusive  proof  of  the  progress  which  they  are 
making  in  knowledge,  and  of  their  zeal  to  acquire  more. 
The  friend  of  improvement  should  be  as  patient  as  he  is 
firm  ;  changes  in  habits,  and  especially  in  the  habits  of  a 
retired  class  of  men,  must  be  slow ;  the  manufacturers, 
vigilant,  and  combined,  eager,  and  quick-sighted,  learn  in 
a  week,  or  a  month,  any  new  improvement  introduced  by 
their  rival,  however  distant;  but  the  farmer  is  slow,  his  in- 
terest is  less  direct;  without  capital,  he  dreads  a  new  ex- 
periment; but  still  his  progress  is  perceptible,  and  un- 
questionable. We,  who  have  been  called  by  our  official 
duties  to  watch  the  improvement  in  every  branch  of  agri- 
culture, perceive  a  vast  change  within  the  last  twenty-five 
years ;  new  fruits,  new  roots,  and  grasses,  new  modes  of 
culture,  greater  attention  to  the  preservation  and  making 
of  manures,  are  most  obvious  on  every  side  ;  our  meadows 
are  better  ditched  ;  we  learn  that  sand  and  gravel  are  bet- 
ter for  them,  than  the  finest  soils  and  the  richest  manures. 
Still  there  are  some  hundred  thousand  acres  of  meadow 
land  which  produce  grass  scarcely  worth  the  labour  of  cut- 
ting, which  may,  by  skill  and  little  labour,  be  rendered  the 
most  productive  parts  of  our  farms. 

Thirty  years  since,  the  general  complaint  was,  that  our 
old  orchards  were  perishing,  and  no  new  ones  planted. 
The  complaint  was  well  founded,  as  all  of  us  of  three 
score  years  of  age  well  know.  This  society,  alarmed  at 
the  fact,  offered  more  than  nine  years  since,  a  liberal  pre- 
mium— a  premium  of  itself  sufficient  to  defray  the  whole 
expense  of  planting  an  orchard  of  apple  trees,  and  they 
have  continued  the  premium  from  that  time  to  the  present. 
No  application  has  however  been  made  for  this  premium 


AT    THE    BRTGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  107 

until  the  present  year.  This  year  four  competitors  pre- 
sented themselves  for  this  premium. 

We  need  not  say  how  grateful  such  applications  were  to 
us.  They  Avere  proofs  that  our  premiums  had  excited  the 
public  attention  ;  they  gave  the  satisfactory  assurance  that 
the  apple  tree,  the  farmer's  best  friend,  was  no  longer 
neglected;  its  fruit,  the  most  profitable  production  of  a 
farm ;  its  product  in  cider,  the  best  possible  substitute  for 
spirituous  liquors,  and  the  abundance  of  which,  if  well 
manufactured,  is  much  more  likely  to  check  the  use  of 
distilled  spirits,  than  all  the  associations  and  too  little  dis- 
criminate representations  which  the  well  meant  zeal  of 
pious  and  excellent  friends  to  virtue  could  put  forth. 

At  any  rate,  the  abundance  of  a  pleasant  and  whole- 
some beverage,  of  less  intoxicating  qualities,  is  the  best 
auxiliary  to  the  laudable  efforts  now  making  to  diminish 
the  consumption  of  ardent  spirits.  In  all  these  views,  so 
many  applications  for  premiums  for  orchards  planted  since 
1816,  and  which  will  be  in  perfection  in  the  days  of  our 
grandchildren,  were  to  be  regarded  with  great  interest. — 
There  will  be  some  benefit  we  hope  derived  from  giving  a 
brief  account  of  these  several  applications. 

The  applicant,  whose  orchard  we  first  examined,  was 
Charles  Davis,  Esq.  of  Roxbury.  To  those  who  knew  the 
spirit  and  inteUigence  with  which  he  has  managed  a  rough 
and  neglected  farm,  it  will  be  no  surprise  to  learn,  that  in 
a  piece  of  ground  entirely  covered  with  rocks  and  bushes 
in  1819,  he  has  an  orchard  of  the  most  uncommon  growth 
and  beauty.  The  whole  number  of  apple  trees  planted 
out  by  him  since  that  period,  is  150;  such  was  their  flour- 
ishing state  that  the  committee,  on  leaving  his  farm,  thought 
that  he  must  be  the  successful  competitor.  For  his  laud- 
able and  successful  exertions,  the  Trustees  award  to  him 
an  honorary  premium  of  ten  dollars.     From  his  estate  they 

proceeded  to  examine  the  orchards  of  Mr. Baldwin 

of  Milton ;  there  could  scarcely  be  a  more  interesting  eX' 


t^B  PROCEEDINGS    AND    REPORTS 

hibition  than  this  farm  afforded.  Mr.  Baldwin,  an  old 
revolutionary  soldier,  took  possession  of  this  farm  when 
he  was  55  years  of  age ;  it  was  in  the  roughest  possible 
state  ;  he  has  made  a  considerable  portion  of  it  a  perfect 
garden ;  his  apple  trees  planted  in  1815  and  1816,  are,  we 
believe,  the  largest  and  finest  in  the  state.  He  has  also 
done  great  honour  to  himself,  and  benefit  to  the  public, 
by  forming  an  extensive  nursery  of  fruit  trees,  for  which 
we  have  been,  and  still  continue  to  be,  in  a  great  measure, 
tributary  to  the  cultivators  of  other  states.  When  we  left 
Mr.  Baldwin,  it  was  with  a  deep  conviction  of  his  rare 
merit,  as  a  skilful  cultivator,  and  with  a  hope,  that  we 
should  be  enabled  to  award  to  him  the  society's  premium 
of  50  dollars — but  subsequent  examinations  render  this 
impossible,  consistently  with  our  duty,  and  consciences. 
We  have  therefore  recommended  to  the  Trustees,  and  they 
have  agreed  to  award  to  Mr.  Baldwin,  an  honorary  premi- 
um of  10  dollars,  for  the  spirit,  intelligence  and  perse- 
verance, which  he  has  displayed  in  his  nursery  and  orchard. 
Some  time  after,  the  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Hon. 
Messrs.  Welles,  Sullivan,  Guild  and  myself,  visited  the 
College  farm,  which  was  under  a  long  lease  to  Mr.  Nahum 
Hardy.  Mr.  Hardy  claimed  the  society's  premium.  We 
there  found  an  orchard  of  eight  acres,  reclaimed  from  the 
wildest  state,  and  filled  with  a  most  beautiful  display  of 
apple  trees,  500  in  number.  The  state  and  condition  of 
the  trees  evinced  the  greatest  care  and  skill,  and  we  con- 
gratulate the  public,  who  are  owners  of  the  farm,  through 
the  medium  of  the  University,  on  their  having  a  tenant  so 
capable  of  increasing  its  value,  and  who  appears  to  have 
devoted  his  capacity  to  so  good  effect.  Immediately  after 
viewing  Mr.  Hardy's  orchard,  the  Committee  proceeded  to 
examine  a  younger  orchard,  planted  by  Elias  Phinney,  Esq. 
of  Charlestown  and  Lexington.  Mr.  Phinney  selected  a 
most  favourable  spot,  declining  towards  the  south,  covered 
five  years  since  with  shrub  oaks  and  rocks,  and    there 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  109 

planted  his  orchard,  400  in  number,  of  the  best  fruits. 
The  trees  were  in  the  most  beautiful  condition — every  su- 
perfluous twig  carefully  and  judiciously  extirpated,  and  their 
general  health  gave  the  best  evidence  of  judicious  manage- 
ment. If  the  premium  of  the  society  had  been  offered  to 
the  orchard,  in  all  respects  best  managed,  without  any  re- 
gard to  number,  Mr.  Phinney  would  probably  have  carried 
the  premium — but  as  Mr.  Hardy's  trees  were  in  an  excel- 
lent condition,  and  exceeded  Mr.  Phinney's  in  number  by 
100,  the  committee  consider  Mr.  Hardy  entitled  to  the  so- 
ciety's premium  of  50  dollars,  and  they  award  it  to  him 
accordingly. 

The  general  state  of  Mr.  Phinney's  farm  was,  however, 
so  perfect,  considering  the  means  applied  to  it — there  was 
so  much  good  judgment,  in  all  his  operations — he  having 
made  also  the  first,  and  a  very  successful  experiment  in 
making  wine,  from  the  native  grape,  that  your  committee 
recommended,  and  the  trustees  have  voted,  to  present  to 
Mr.  Phinney  a  cup,  of  the  value  of  20  dollars,  with  such 
inscriptions  as  a  committee  of  the  trustees  may  devise, 
indicative  of  his  merit,  as  a  farmer.  Well  then,  my  fel- 
low citizens,  shall  it  be  said,  that  no  good  results  from 
these  societies .''  Is  it  of  wo  benefit  that  men,  who  merit 
well  of  their  country,  have  a  sure  and  impartial  means  of 
making  their  merit  known  ?  Are  our  farmers  so  debased, 
so  indifferent  to  their  own  best  interests,  and  reputation, 
as  not  to  feel  excited  by  the  success  of  others  ?  Why 
should  we  presume  it,  when  we  see,  at  once,  four  compe- 
titors, distant  from  each  other,  in  Norfolk  and  Middlesex, 
competing  for  one  of  our  most  important,  and  hitherto 
neglected  premiums  ^  We  hope  yet  to  see  a  claim  for  our 
premium  for  forest  trees.  Let  us  be  patient.  Improve- 
ment in  every  branch  of  industry  is  slow,  but  certain — in 
agriculture,  more  slow  than  in  any  other — but  as  it  is  more 
slow,  so  it  is  more  permanent,  and  more  important.  Let 
us  all,  then,  be  moderate  in  our  expectations,  but  firm,  in 


110  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

our  reliance  on  eventual  success.  Our  temperate  climate, 
our  natural  industry,  zeal  and  intelligence,  will  not  deceive 
us.  New  England  will  be,  what  she  always  has  been,  the 
nursery  of  arts,  of  intelligence,  of  enterprise,  and  the 
abode  of  virtue,  obedience  to  the  laws  and  love  of  liberty. 
She  will  never  desert  her  rulers,  whether  national  or  state, 
so  long  as  she  is  convinced  that  they  consult  the  true  in- 
terests of  the  republic. — She  will  forever  cherish  agricul- 
ture as  the  acknowledged  foundation  of  all  national  wealth, 
while  she  will  recollect  that  her  numerous  harbours  invite 
her  to  avail  herself  of  the  benefits  of  foreign  commerce, 
which  has  raised  her  to  her  present  comparative  import- 
ance, and  produced  a  surplus  capital,  which  can  in  times 
of  peace,  only  be  successfully  employed  in  manufactures 
and  internal  improvements,  to  which  the  rare  mechanical 
skill,  untiring  industry,  economy  and  perseverance  of  her 
citizens  especially  invite  her,  while  her  numerous  and  in- 
exhaustible waterfalls  afford  her  facilities,  which  no  other 
portion  of  our  country  can  boast.  Let  our  maxim  forever 
be,  "A  liberal  union,  without  jealousy,  of  agricultural, 
manufacturing  and  commercial  skill."  By  a  strict  adhe- 
rence to  this  liberal  principle,  the  population  of  New 
England  must  increase  in  wealth  and  power — power,  of 
the  noblest  description,  most  advantageous  to  the  nation, 
the  power  of  mind;  a  moral  and  beneficent  power,  which 
ought  not  to  be  the  subject  of  jealousy  or  envy,  but 
which  will  command  the  respect  of  our  sister  states,  while 
it  will  essentially  promote  their  best  interests.  We  must 
be  forever  supplied  with  our  flour  and  cotton,  from  the 
South,  but  we  shall  send  them,  in  return,  their  own  pro- 
ducts in  a  manufactured  state,  and  contribute  to  their 
wealth,  their  comforts  and  their  luxuries,  at  least  as  much 
as  to  our  own.  Such  seems  to  be  the  order  of  Divine 
Providence.  Our  comparatively  sterile  soil,  and  severe 
winters,  oblige  us  to  be  the  labourers  for  our  brethren. 
Local  and  temporary  prejudices  may  retard,  but  can  never 
change  the  order — the  beneficent  order  of  Providence. 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  Ill 

It  would  naturally  be  expected,  that  something  should 
be  said  of  our  present  show,  but  a  moment's  reflection  will 
convince  our  audience  that  this  is  entirely  impracticable. 
The  new  arrangements  have  left  no  trustee  at  leisure   to 
make  any  written  remarks,  and  how  could  I,  engaged  in 
examining  and  aiding  in  the  decision,  of  three  distinct 
classes  of  animals,  be  expected  to  say  any  thing  of  the 
others,  or  of  the  ploughing  match,  or  the  working  cattle, 
of  whose  respective  merits  I  have  no  knowledge.     All  I 
can  say  is,  that  in  my  own  branch  of  duty  the  show  was 
highly   respectable.      Full  reports  will  be  made  by  the 
chairmen  of  the  several  committees,  which  will  assign  the 
grounds  of  their  respective  decisions.     It  would  be,  how- 
ever, a  gross  neglect  on  my  part,  if  I  should  omit  to  notice 
the  renewed  exertions  of  our  fellow  countryman.  Gen. 
Coffin,  to  contribute  towards  the  agriculture  of  his  native 
state.     Gen.  Coffin,  it  is  well  known  and  will  be  long  re- 
membered, generously   introduced,  at   great   expense,  a 
stallion  of  the  cart  horse  breed,  of  prodigious  power,  bone 
and  muscle.     His  brother,  Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin,  at  va- 
rious times,  has  presented  to  his  native  state,  Admiral,  a  bull 
of  the  finest  short  horned  breed,  a  cow  of  the  same  race  ; 
a  Herefordshire  bull.  Sir  Isaac,  of  uncommon  beauty,  and 
whose  stock  to  my  own  knowledge  have  been  of  rare 
beauty  of  form ;  a  stud  horse  of  the  Yorkshire  race,  and 
a  mare  of  the  same  breed.     For  these  repeated  acts  of 
public  spirit  this  Society  could  do  no  less  than  to  present 
to  each  of  these  brothers,  rivals  in  good  works,  their  gold 
medal  of  fifty  dollars. 

Gen.  Coffin,  with  the  same  untiring  zeal  for  the  interests 
of  his  native  country,  has  purchased  three  rams  and  three 
ewes  of  the  Devonshire  Nols,  a  race  of  long  woolled  sheep 
closely  allied  to  the  improved  Leicesters.  One  of  these 
sheep  was  sheared  at  a  year  old  on  his  passage,  and  gave 
13  pounds  of  long  and  fine  wool.  They  areas  valuable 
for  their  meat  as  for  food,  the  quarters  weighing  from 


112  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

30  to  40  pounds  per  quarter,  and,  as  it  is  said,  of  an  excel- 
lent quality  for  the  table. 

The  trustees  will  endeavour  so  to  place  these  sheep,  as 
that  the  beneficent  object  of  the  donor  shall  be  carried 
into  full  effect.  General  Coffin,  not  content  with  pur- 
chasing them,  at  an  age  above  three  score  years  and  ten, 
has  followed  them,  during  their  long  passage  to  New- 
Brunswick,  and  thence,  without  delay,  from  Eastport  to 
Boston,  in  order,  that  they  might  grace  the  show  of  this 
society  on  this  anniversary.  He  is  now  p^:e3ent  at  our 
festival. 

There  is  no  feeling  stronger,  than  that  of  an  attachment 
to  the  country  in  which  we  are  born. — Time  and  distance 
have  no  effect,  unless  it  be  in  making  the  feeling  more  in- 
tense. I  know  of  no  case,  more  touching,  none  in  which 
the  strength  of  that  natural  feeling  has  been  more  strongly 
exemplified,  than  in  that  of  these  two  brothers,  who  sepa- 
rated from  their  country  in  youth,  engaged  in  the  service 
of  a  nation,  now  foreign  to  us,  look  back  with  a  kind,  af- 
fectionate and  devoted  attachment,  to  the  country  of  their 
birth.  This  family  (it  is  probably  well  known  to  you  all) 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Nantucket,  an  island, 
which  has  done  more  than  any  other  spot,  to  raise  the 
reputation  of  our  nation,  for  hardy  enterprise,  and  un- 
blemished morals. 

Shall  I  receive  a  single  dissentient  vote,  when  I  propose 
the  thanks  of  this  assembled  body  of  full  blooded  yankees, 
to  General  Coffin,  and  his  brother,  Admiral  Sir  Isaac 
Coffin. 

[The  above  motion  being  put  to  vote,  was  carried  by  a 
show  of  hands  from  every  person  present.] 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  US 


REPORT    II. 

The  Committee  on  Milch  Coivs,  Heifers,  ^c.  at  the  Show  of 
the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  at  Brighton,  Oct. 
17,  consisting  of  Messrs.  John  Welles,  Thomas  Wil- 
liams of  JYoddle^s  Island,  and  John  Mears  of  Dorchester, 
Report : 

That  they  could  have  wished  more  fully  to  have  per- 
ceived that  whilst  the  face  of  the  country  every  where  pre- 
sents the  marks  of  improvement  in  our  stock,  whilst  the  zeal 
of  our  farmers  is  awakened  and  their  judgment  displayed  by 
a  recurrence  to  the  imported  breeds  as  well  as  the  most 
careful  selection  of  our  native  cattle,  the  pens  at  our  an- 
nual cattle  show  might  have  afforded,  as  relates  to  the 
dairy,  to  those  who  honoured  the  day  and  its  exhibitions, 
at  least  more  multiplied  instances  of  those  improvements 
that  have  been  effected.  This  is  due  to  the  liberal  en- 
couragement of  the  government  to  the  efforts  of  the  so- 
ciety, and  to  the  deep  interest  which  should  be  taken  in 
what  has  such  intimate  relation  to  the  staples  of  the  coun- 
try. The  committee  trust,  that  the  good  sense  of  those, 
whose  character  is  thus  at  stake,  may  be  relied  on,  to  give 
at  their  own  holiday,  such  an  increasing  display,  as  the 
country  can  make,  and  is  alike  due  to  their  own  charac- 
ter,, and  to  the  many  visitors,  whose  opinions  are  often 
founded  on  the  appearance  of  the  annual  show  of  the 
Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.  It  will  be  seen  how- 
ever, that  there  were  not  wanting  many  very  fine  and  pro- 
ductive milch  animals,  as  well  as  beautiful  heifers  not  only 
amongst  those  offered  for  premium,  but  those  for  exhibi- 
tion also. 

milch  cows. 

The  premiums  on  milch  cows,  your  committee  award 
as  follows : 

Vol.  X.  15 


114  P110CEEI>INCS    AND    REPORTS 

To  Oliver  Shed,  of  Weston,  for  his  cow,  of  native  stock, 
the  first  premium,  $30  00 

From  the  milk  of  this  cow  there  was  made,  from  June 
nth,  to  Oct.  11th,  inclusive,  from  eight  to  eleven  pounds 
of  butter  per  week,  viz.  June  and  July,  over  ten  pounds ; 
August  and  September,  to  Oct.  11th,  nearly  nine  pounds 
per  week.  This  was  supposed  to  be  a  native  cow  of  fair 
appearance. 

To  James  Robbins,  of  Watertown,  the  second  premium 
for  his  cow,  of  native  stock,  $20  00 

From  the  milk  of  this  cow,  in  May  and  June,  there  was 
made  from  ten  to  thirteen  pounds  of  butter,  and  nearly 
eleven  pounds  on  an  average.     Also  of  fair  appearance. 

To  John  Meriam,  of  Concord,  the  third  premium,  for 
his  native  cow,  $15  00 

It  appears  that  this  cow  had  given  for  some  time,  ten 
quarts  at  a  milking  ;  and  held  out  (it  was  said)  well.  Her 
milk  had  been  made  into  butter  but  a  short  time,  and  then 
gave  ten  and  a  half  pounds  per  week.  This  cow  was 
small,  but  well  proportioned. 

MILCH    HEIFERS. 

For  the  best 'milch  heifer,  the  committee  award  the  first 
premium  to  J.  W.  Vv^atson,  of  Princeton,  $15  00 

This  heifer  was  of  the  Holderness  breed.  Mr.  W.  states, 
she  came  in,  in  May  last,  and  her  calf  weighed  on  the  IGth 
of  June,  when  killed,  23i  pounds  a  quarter.  For  several 
weeks  following,  she  gave  23  to  24  quarts  of  milk  a  day, 
and  made  ten  and  a  half  pounds  of  butter  a  week.  In 
Sept.  her  milk  was  again  kept  separate,  and  she  gave  16 
quarts  a  day,  and  made  71  pounds  of  butter  a  week.  She 
had  no  other  than  pasture  feed. 

To  Aaron  Pike,  of  Milton,  the  second  premium  for  a 
milch  heifer,  $10  00 

This  heifer  came  in  at  a  disadvantage,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  committee,  buing  only  18  months  old,  she  was  proba- 


AT    TITR    RPIOHTON    CATTLE    SHOW,  115 

biy,  in  part,  of  the  imported  breeds,  of  good  appearance, 
and  the  animal  was  thought  under  all  circumstances,  thus 
entitled. 

HEIFERS. 

For  the  best  heifer,  not  having  had  a  calf,  the  com- 
mittee, award  the  1st  premium  to  H.  Sprague  of  Spencer, 

|12  00 

For  his  heifer  2h  years  old.  This  was  I  Holderness, 
and  of  fine  appearance. 

To  J.  W.  Watson  of  Princeton,  the  committee  award 
the  2d  premium,  f  10 

This  was  of  the  Holderness  breed,  and  of  good  pro- 
mise. 

To  John  Ellis  of  Brighton,  the  committee  award  the  3d 
premium,  $S 

This  was  a  fine  Heifer  h  Holderness,  3  years  old. 

To  Aaron  Willard,  jun.  of  Boston,  the  committee  award 
the  4th  premium,  ^'6 

This  animal  was  but  about  8  months  old,  and  could 
hardly  be  considered  more  than  a  calf  being  still  with  a 
cow.  But  the  committee  thought  few  animals  have  ap- 
peared at  the  cattle  show  of  more  promise.  Mr.  Willard 
states  that  the  heifer  was  from  his  imported  Durham  cow ; 
sired  by  the  bull  of  John  M'Intire  of  Needham,  which  re- 
ceived the  second  premium  in  1824. 

Amongst  the  animals  entered  for  premium  several  were 
thought  worthy  of  notice. 

Richard  Richardson  of  Ashby  had  a  cow  which  calved 
on  the  7th  of  January  ;  the  calf  was  in  high  order  in 
March,  and  then  marketed — another  was  put  to  the  cow 
and  disposed  of  in  June;  these  brought  about  ^15.  A 
third  was  at  her  side  excessively  fat,  for  which  he  had  re- 
fused ^25.  This  is  a  rare  instance  of  product,  and  there 
can  be  no  doubt  of  the  value  of  the  animal. 

Nathan  Adams  of  Medford  entered  a  cow  for  premium 


116  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

also — this  was  of  the  "Fill  Pail"  breed,  of  good  figure, 
promise  and  milch  properties — but  there  was  a  deficien- 
,cy  of  statement  in  those  several  particulars  which  could 
have  entitled  her  to  a  premium. 

Doctor  Benjamin  Austin  also  entered  a  cow  which  had 
,a  fine  calf  of  the  Coelebs  breed  at  her  side — but  as  to  this 
and  several  other  animals  the  committee  had  no  particu-r 
lar  representation,  those  who  had  them  in  charge  being 
drawn  away  perhaps  by  the  ploughing  match  or  other 
spectacles  of  the  day. 

The  committee  thus  close  the  detail  of  these  observa- 
tions, made  requisite  on  the  distribution  of  the  prizes. 
Should  they  in  any  case  be  supposed  to  have  erred  in 
judgment,  they  can  only  say  that  in  all  instances  they  have 
been  of  one  opinion. 

It  would  be  an  ill  return  for  the  zeal  and  meritorious 
exertions  of  those  who  presented  fine  animals  for  exhibi- 
tion, only,  not  to  notice  those  instances  which  were  con- 
spicuous and  gave  interest  to  the  show. 

Mr.  Parsons  exhibited  his  productive  Alderney  cow, 
with  a  full  blood  yearling.  Mr.  Seaverns  a  strongly  mark- 
ed heifer  of  the  same  breed.  Mr.  Z.  Cook  of  Dorchester 
exhibited  a  cow  and  beautiful  calf  of  the  Bakewell  breed 
crossed  by  Coelebs.  There  were  several  other  promising 
heifers  from  Holderness,  Coelebs  and  Denton. 

Mr.  Mears  exhibited  a  heifer,  a  cross  of  Holderness  and 
Coelebs  on  the  Bakewell  Breed,  17  months  old,  a  fine  fig- 
ure, which  weighed  7S0  lbs.  Mr.  Welles  exhibited  2  heif- 
ers of  the  Herefordshire  breed,  (Sir  Isaac)  a  cow  and  4 
heifej"s  from  Denton,  and  several  cows  and  heifers  from 
Holderness  and  Coelebs. 

The  committee  repeat  that  the  want  of  greater  fullness 
in  display  did  injustice  to  the  condition  and  capacity  of 
the  country.  But  this  it  is  in  the  power  of  our  Farmers 
^o  correct.  They  will  not  suffer  the  apprehension  to  pre- 
vail that  they  are  indifferent  to  the  fruits  of  their  own  ex- 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  117 

ertions-^that  no  useful  competition  can  be  excited,  or 
that  any  well  advised  efforts  for  the  encouragement  of  ag- 
riculture can  be  unavailing. 

All  which  is  submitted 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

JOHN  WELLES,  Chairman, 


REPORT    III. 

The  Committee  on  the  Ploughing  Match  ivith  one  yoke  ofOxen^ 
consisting  of  E.  Hersey  Derby,  Josiah  Titcomb,  Esqrs. 
and  Deacon  Elijah  Corey,  Report  : 

There  were  sixteen  entries  for  ploughing,  ten  only  of 
which  could  be  accommodated  with  Lots,  which  were  laid 
out  thirty  rods  each. 

Most  of  the  ploughs  were  of  the  improved  kind  with 
cast  iron  mould  boards. 

The  ploughing  was  to  be  five  inches  deep,  and  the  fur- 
rows not  more  than  ten  inches  in  width. 

Fifty  minutes  were  allowed  for  the  performance  o^  the 
work. 

The  shortest  time  taken  was  thirty-eight  minutes,  and 
the  longest  fifty-seven. 

The  Competitors  were  requested  not  to  hurry  their  cattle, 
as  the  goodness  of  the  work,  together  with  the  good  man- 
agement of  the  Ploughmen,  and  the  general  appearance 
and  tractability  of  the  Oxen  were  to  be  the  principal  cri- 
terions  in  awarding  the  Premiums. 

The  Committee  state  with  pleasure  that  most  of  the 
ploughing  was  of  tlie  first  order.  That  done  by  A.  A. 
Wheeler  of  Concord,  would  have  entitled  him  to  one  of 
the  first  premiums,  had  the  work  been  completed  within 
the  time  allowed. 

They  award  as  follows  : 


118  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

1st  premium  to  Joseph  Barrett,  of  Concord  ^15 

Same  as  ploughman  8 

Same  as  driver  4 

$21 

2d  do.  to  George  M.  Barrett  of  Concord  f  10 

Same  as  ploughman  5 

The  driver  3 


3d  do.  to  Samuel  Hoar,  of  Lincoln  ^6 

Same  as  ploughman  3 

The  driver  2 

$11 
E.  HERSEY  DERBY,   Chairman. 


REPORT    IV. 

The  Committee  on  .Agricultural  Inventions,  Sfc.  report  as 
follows,  viz. 

Messrs.  Jackson  and  Wright  presented  for  premium,  in 
behalf  of  Mr.  Charles  Reed,  of  East  Bridgewater,  the  in- 
ventor, a  machine  for  hammering  stone ;  to  be  worked  ei- 
ther by  hand,  horse,  or  water  power ;  a  certificate  was 
produced,  stating,  that  with  four  picks  or  hammers  ap- 
plied to  the  machine,  it  hammered  and  finished  handsomely 
in  two  hours  and  a  half,  a  stone  measuring  on  the  surface 
five  feet  two  inches  in  length,  and  one  foot  in  width ;  the 
depth  of  stone  picked  before  the  finish,  averaged  three 
quarters  of  an  inch  ;  the  finish  was  made  by  applying  to 
the  machine  two  finishers  or  smoothing  pickers — a  stone 
was  also  produced  and  shown  the  committee,  which  was 
hammered  and  finished  by  the  machine,  and  the  work  well 
executed.  The  committee  thought  great  credit  was  due 
to  Mr.  Reed  for  his  invention,  but  think  the  usefulness  of 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  119 

this  machine  in  its  present  form,  has  not  been  sufficiently 
proved  by  experiment,  and  do  not  recommend  a  premium. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Newell,  of  the  Agricultural  Establishment  in 
Boston,  presented  for  premium,  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Russell 
Burke,  an  improved  Sidc-hill-plough.  The  committee 
took  some  pains  to  test  the  improvement  in  this  plough, 
and  had  a  number  of  furrows  turned  with  it ;  they  could 
not  but  notice  the  ease  and  despatch  with  which  the  mould 
board  was  shifted  at  the  end  of  the  furrow,  and  was  of 
opinion  it  would  answer  for  many  kinds  of  level  grounds  ; 
with  its  present  mould  board  it  is  calculated  to  turn  up  and 
leave  the  soil  very  light,  and  with  a  little  variation  in  the 
mould  board,  it  might  answer  equally  well  for  sward  land  ; 
it  is  simple  in  construction,  and  not  easily  put  out  of  order. 
The  committee  considered  it  such  an  improvement  on  the 
southern  side-hill-plough,  (one  of  which  is  now  in  the  hall 
of  the  society)  that  they  recommend  a  premium  of  twelve 
dollars  to  be  paid  to  Mr.  Newell  for  Mr.  R.ussell  Burke. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Newell  also  presented  for  premium,  Mr.  How- 
ard's self-governing  plough,  which  is  regulated  by  a  wheel 
at  the  end  of  a  bar  attached  to  the  beam  of  the  plough, 
and  projecting  horizontally,  and  may  be  easily  fitted  to  the 
beam  of  any  plough.  A  single  furrow  is  first  struck  out 
in  which  the  wheel  is  to  run,  the  width  of  the  furrow  is 
given  by  adjusting  the  wheel  on  the  bar.  The  committee 
saw  a  number  of  furrows  turned,  and  the  plough  went  the 
length  of  the  furrows  without  being  touched  by  the 
ploughman  or  driver  ;  it  appeared  to  answer  the  descrip- 
tion given  by  Mr.  Howard,  who  produced  a  certificate 
signed  by  twelve  persons  in  Hingham,  in  which  they  state 
that  the  plough  has  been  used  in  their  presence,  and  an- 
swers the  purpose  of  conducting  and  regulating  itself  in 
such  manner  as  set  forth  by  Mr.  Howard,  and  renders  a 
ploughman  unnecessary,  except  to  adjust  the  wheel,  enter 
the  plough  in  the  ground,  and  turn  it  wiien  at  the  end  of 
the  furrow,  the  same  person  can  do  all  that  is  required  of 


120  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

a  driver.  The  committee  were  of  opinion  it  would  not 
answer  for  stony  land,  or  where  the  surface  is  very  irregu- 
lar ;  they  however  consider  Mr.  Howard  entitled  to  a  pre- 
mium for  the  inventions,  and  recommend  the  sum  of  twelve 
dollars  to  be  paid  him. 

Mr.  John  Mears,  of  Dorchester,  presented  for  premium 
an  improvement  made  by  him,  in  the  manner  of  ironing 
an  ox  yoke,  also  a  shackle  applicable  to  the  draft  chain. 
Mr.  Mears  handed  the  committee  the  following  specifica- 
tion. "  The  improvement  of  the  yoke,  other  than  has  been 
presented  to  a  former  committee  of  the  society,  consists  in 
the  band  encircling  the  beam,  with  the  ring  passing 
through  an  eye  at  the  under-part  of  the  band,  and  firmly 
secured  to  it ;  instead  of  the  staple  passing  through  the 
beam,  thereby  weakening  the  part  on  which  the  greatest 
strain  is  brought,  the  staple  operating  as  a  pry  or  lever  to 
split  the  yoke,  whereas  the  band  being  secured  with  screws 
on  the  top  of  the  yoke  has  a  tendency  to  prevent  splitting 
in  any  direction ;  it  may  also  be  adjusted  to  the  strength 
or  other  circumstances  of  either  ox,  by  turning  the  nuts 
and  slipping  the  band  towards  either  end  of  the  yoke." 
Of  the  shackle,  Mr.  Mears  said  it  was  for  chain  draft,  to 
connect  the  oxen  to  the  plough  or  other  instrument,  at 
such  distance  as  is  thought  most  proper;  by  passing  the 
pin  through  any  link  of  the  chain.  It  preserves  the  links 
of  the  chain  from  injury  by  doubling  through  the  ring  of 
the  yoke,  it  drops  the  chain  from  the  yoke,  and  thereby 
gives  a  correct  line  of  draft  from  the  plough  to  all  the  lead- 
ing cattle,  instead  of  hooking  to  the  staple  as  is  the  common 
practice  ;  it  prevents  the  yoke  from  being  twitched  for- 
ward by  every  irregularity  of  movement  in  the  leading 
cattle  ;  it  facilitates  their  travelling  and  makes  it  more 
easy  for  the  ploughman  in  directing  the  plough.  The 
committee  thought  it  would  be  an  improvement  if  the 
small  round  bolt  that  passes  through  the  ends  of  the 
bJiackle,  was  made   of  an  oval  form,  it  could  then  pass 


AT  THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  121 

through  the  links  of  the  smallest  chains  used  for  draft,  and 
the  strength  not  be  diminished, — for  the  improvement  in 
the  manner  of  ironing  the  yoke,  and  for  the  shackle,  they 
recommend  a  premium  to  Mr.  Mears,  of  ten  dollars. 

Mr.  Mears  also  presented  for  premium,  a  Scythe-case, 
for  the  safe  transportation  of  scythes  to  and  from  the  salt 
marsh  or  fresh  meadows  lying  distant  from  home  ;  it  was 
a  box  in  which  six  or  eight  scythes  with  the  rifles,  could 
be  easily  and  readily  packed,  and  in  such  manner  as  to 
render  them  secure  from  doing  or  suffering  harm ;  it  was 
simple  and  convenient  for  the  purpose  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Mears,  but  the  committee  do  not  recommend  a  premium. 

A  newly  invented  Lamp-taper  and  wick,  a  Pruning-saw 
set  in  a  small  frame  with  a  socket,  in  which  a  pole  was 
secured,  the  top  of  the  frame  was  made  sharp  for  the  pur* 
pose  of  cutting  the  twigs  or  suckers  by  an  upward  or 
downward  motion — and  an  improvement  in  securing  the 
Crane-neck  hoe  plates  to  the  shanks  were  severally  offered 
for  premium.  Some  ingenuity,  and  skill  in  the  workman- 
ship was  evident,  but  the  committee  did  not  think  them 
entitled  to  a  premium. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Newell  presented  for  exhibition  a  number  of 
articles  that  attracted  attention,  and  gave  evidence  of 
great  improvement  in  many  of  the  agricultural  imple- 
ments. The  committee  felt  great  satisfaction  in  examin- 
ing his  new  invented  Corn-sheller.  Howard's  double 
mould  board  plough  which  was  much  improved  by  the  ad- 
dition of  a  coulter,  and  an  alteration  in  the  shape  of  the 
share  to  which  the  coulter  was  secured,  his  self-sharpening 
plough,  a  hand  garden  plough,  Darby's  patent  boxes  for 
carriage  wheels,  Gault's  and  Crosby's  patent  churns,  and 
Bailey's  improved  hand  corn  mill.  And  they  hope  Mr. 
Ncvvcll  will  be  fully  remunerated  for  any  trouble  or  ex- 
pense incurred,  by  an  increased  application  at  his  Agri- 
cultural Store,  not  only  for  such  articles  as  were  exhibited 

Vol.  X.  ICy 


122  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

by  him,  but  for  any  other  useful  agricultural  or  horticul- 
tural implements. 

GORIIAM   PARSONS. 

DANIEL  TREAOWELL. 
Oct.  17,  1827.  DAVID   MOODY. 


REPORT   V. 

The  Committee  on  Manufactures  award  to 
Slater  &  Howard  of  Dudley,  for  the  best  Broad  Cloths, 

(blue  and  black)  the  first  premium,  $'20 

To  the  same  for  their  Drab  Cloth,  2d  premium,  15 

Slater  &  Howard,  for  the  best  Cassimere,  first  pre- 
mium, 12 
Bemis  Watertown  Factory,  for  tlie  best  satinett,  the 

first  premium,  8 

Sylvanus  Holbrook,  of  Northbridge,  for  the  second 

best,  the  2d  premium,  5 

Richard  Jaques,  of  Newbury,  for  the  best  household 

woollen  cloth,  the  first  premium,  12 

Jedediah  Wood,  of  Marlboro',  for  the  second  best  do. 

the  second  premium,  8 

Mrs.  Stephen  Fales,  of  New  Braintree,  for  the  best 

blankets,  the  first  premium,  6 

Lucy  Bancroft,  of  Pepperel,  for  the  next  best,   the 

second  premium,  4 

Frances  Foster,  of  New  Braintree,  for  the  best  flannel, 

the  first  premium,  10 

George  M.  Barrett,  of  Concord,  for  the  next  best,  the 

second  premium,  7 

Mrs.  John  Hunter,  for  linen   sheeting,   the   second 

premium,  4 

B.  C.  Perkins,  of  Becket,  for  linen  diaper,  the  second 

premium,  6 

Richard  Jaques,  of  Newbury,  for  the  best  carpeting, 

(household)  the  first  premium,  ■  15 


1 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  123 

Lydia  Foster,  of  New  Braintrce,  for  the  next  best, 
(household,)  $7 

GRATUITIES. 

Harriet  Gilbert,  of  Norton,  for  a  hearth  rug,  $2 

Emerline  Patterson,  of  Boston,  for  a  lace  cap,  1 

Maria  L.  Prouty,  of  Boston,       for  do.  1 

Abigail  E.  Clough,  of  Boston,  for  a  lace  veil,  2 

Mary  Hyler,  of  Boston,  for  do.  1 

Abgusta  Delano,  of  Kingston,  for  a  cotton  counterpane,  2 
Rebecca  W.  Brooks,  of  Lincoln,  for  fine  worsted  hose,  2 
To   the   Medway  Manufacturing   Company  for  hearth 

rugs,  ■  3 

Hannah  H.  Wheeler,  of  Grafton,  for  do.  3 

Mary  Fisher,  of  Westboro',  for  straw  bonnets,  2 

Louisa  Brigham,  of  Marlboro',  for  specimens  of  paint- 
ing on  velvet,  3 
Sarah  Tappan,  of  Roxbury,  for  woollen  hose,                    2 
Miss  Heath,  of  Roxbury,  for  a  muslin  mantle  and  lace 

veil,  4 

Pamela  H.  Allen,  of  Bridgewater,  for  lace  work,  2 

Harriet  Allen,  of  do.  for  lace  trimmings,  2 

Emeline  Allen,  of  do.  for  a  black  lace  veil,  2 

Miss  Childs,  of  Roxbury,  for  do.  1 

To  a  young  lady,  of  Salem,  for  a  bead  belt,  2 

To  a  child,  twelve  years  of  age,  for  a  vandyke,  of  silk 

weed,  1 

Fanny  Penniman,  of  Boston,  for  a  hearth  rug,  2 

Elizabeth  Sherman,  of  East  Sudbury,  for  a  specimen  of 
artificial  flowers,  2 

Among  the  numerous  articles  of  manufacture  oftered 
for  exhibition  only,  the  committee  noticed  specimens  of 
beautiful  lace  from  the  Ipswich  Factory.  The  factory 
prices  were  affixed  to  them,  which  were  lower  than  the 
prices  of  imported  lace  of  the  same  quality.  There  were 
two  pieces  of  cotton  duck,  from  the  Bemis  Watertown 
Factory,  of  very  substantial  fabric.     This  kind  of  duck 


1 24  PROCEEDINGS    AND    REPORTS 

has  been  for  some  time  in  use,  and  is  highly  approved. 
The  carpeting  from  the  Medway  Factory,  an  imitation  of 
the  Kiderminster,  was  of  an  excellent  quality ;  the  patterns 
were  well  chosen,  and  the  colours  bright  and  in  good 
taste.  This  branch  of  manufacture  has  obtained  a  firm 
footing,  and  is  rapidly  extending  itself  in  this  country. 
Among  the  various  specimens  of  household  industry,  the 
patch  work  carpet,  by  Miss  Bates,  of  Weymouth ;  and  a 
bed  quilt  of  the  same  fabric,  by  another  lady,  were  much 
pommended,  as  works  of  patient  industry. 

The  articles  of  fancy  work  were  numerous — such  as 
specimens  of  lace  work,  ornamental  painting  on  velvet, 
jand  fabrics  of  the  Turkey  Down,  &c.  The  Committee 
having  selected  those  among  them  which  they  considered 
the  best,  to  receive  the  amount  usually  awarded  in  gratui- 
ties, are  happy  to  bear  testimony  to  the  ingenuity,  skill 
and  taste  discovered  in  many  of  them,  which  they  did  not 
feel  authorised  to  compliment  by  an  award  of  money. 

Mr.  Munroe  of  Concord,  whose  writing  and  drawing 
pencils  have  been  noticed  in  former  years,  for  their  good 
appearance  and  cheapness,  offered  a  large  assortment  the 
present  year,  and  among  them  a  specimen  of  the  selfpoinU 
ing  pencils.  The  Committee  had  no  opportunity  to  make 
s^ch  a  trial  of  them  as  to  test  their  quality. 
R.  SULLIVAN,  -| 

SAMUEL  APPLETON,  [  ^ 
EDW.  TUCKERMAN,    h^'^^*^^^^- 
JOHN  LEMIST.  J 


REPORT    VI. 


The   Committee  on  Merino  Sheep.^  and  Swine,  consisting  of 
John  Heard,  Jr.  Samuel  Jaques,  Jr.  Esq.  of  Charlestown, 
and  Mr.  Wm.  Stone,  of  South  Boston,  Report, 
That  the  Merino  sheep  offered  for  premium  this  year, 

were  fewer  in  number,  and  more  inferior  in  quality,  than 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  125 

those  in  former  years  ;  and  which  they  attribute  in  a  groat 
degree  to  the  encouragement  that  has  been  given  for  the 
increase.  The  flocks  having  become  too  numerous  to  be 
supported  on  the  valuable  land  near  the  metropolis,  have 
been  driven  into  the  interior,  and  so  remote  that  gentle- 
men cannot  or  do  not  exhibit  them  at  the  Brighton  show. 
That  they  have  increased  in  number,  and  in  fineness  of 
fleece  almost  without  a  parallel,  since  their  first  introduc- 
tion into  this  country,  is  certainly  true  ;  many  of  our  hills 
bear  evident  marks  of  the  fact,  and  if  the  premiums  alone 
are  an  inadequate  inducement, — patriotism,  public  spirit, 
and  a  desire  to  promote  the  best  interest  of  their  conntry, 
should  prompt  gentlemen  to  contribute  their  share  of  the 
gratification  of  the  visitors  of  the  cattle  show ;  and  induce 
others  to  imitate  their  laudable  example. 

In  deciding  the  premiums  for  Merino  sheep,  the  commit- 
tee were  governed  principally  by  the  fineness  of  the  fleece  ; 
but  they  did  not  totally  disregard  the  form  and  appearance 
of  the  animal. — They  had  more  difficulty  in  determining, 
whether  they  should  award  any  premium,  than  to  whom  to 
award  it;  and  after  some  consultation  and  consideration, 
they  have  awarded  to 

Joseph  Barrett,  the  second  premium  for  a  Merino  ram, 

$10  00 

There  was  no  ram  of  so  superior  a  quality  as  to  be  en- 
titled to  the  first  premium. 

The  Merino  ewes,  presented  for  premium,  were  exam- 
ined with  great  care  and  attention,  by  the  committee,  in 
hopes  that  they  might  find  a  requisite  number  of  sufficient 
fineness  of  fleece  to  award  one  of  the  premiums ;  but 
having  a  regard  to  their  duty  and  responsibility,  and  the 
regulations  of  the  society,  they  could  not  discover  any 
that  were  entitled  to  either  of  the  premiums,  for  they  be- 
lieved, that  as  good,  and  better  Merino  ewes  were  not  un- 
common. 

They  have  awarded  to  Oliver  Tilton,  for  the  best  sow, 
the  first  premium  of  f  12  GO 


126  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

To  George  Everett,  for  the  next  best,  the  second  pre- 
mium, $S  00 

To  Jacob  Melvin,  for  the  next  best,  the  third  premi- 
um, $5  00 

To  Silas  Dudley,  for  the  best  boar,  the  first  premi- 
um, $12  00 

To  Joseph  Dudley,  for  the  next  best,  the  second  pre- 
mium, $8  00 

The  third  premium  was  not  awarded. 

To  Oliver  Tilton,  for  the  best  pigs,  not  less  than  two  in 
number,  nor  less  than  four  nor  more  than  eight  months 
old,  the  first  premium,  ^10  00 

There  were  none  offered,  that  the  committee  considered 
entitled  to  the  second  premium. 

The  committee  regret  that  they  have  not  been  able  to 
make  a  more  satisfactory  report,  upon  the  most  important 
and  useful  stock  of  the  farmer; — and  hope  that  the  "un- 
tiring zeal"  of  their  fellow  countryman.  Gen.  Coffin,  to 
promote  the  best*  interests  of  his  native  land,  and  which 
has  been  so  justly  and  deservedly  noticed  by  the  President 
of  this  society,  may  stimulate  our  brethren  in  the  country, 
to  more  active  exertions  to  improve  their  stock,  and  excite 
in  them  a  spirit  of  emulation  to  excel  at  their  annual  ex- 
hibition. 

The  chairman  of  this  report  cannot  close  it,  without 
first  stating,  that  in  deciding  upon  the  premiums  that  were 
to  be  awarded,  he  requested  the  gentlemen,  who  were  as- 
sociated with  him,  and  who  are  so  generally  and  justly 
distinguished  for  their  knowledge,  experience  and  sound 
judgment,  in  the  estimation  of  stock,  to  examine  and  de- 
cide the  premiums  by  themselves,  if  they  could  agree,  be- 
lieving, that  their  decision  must  in  that  event  give  univer- 
sal satisfaction,  and  that  the  gentlemen  perfectly  coincided 
in  opinion,  and  were  united  in  the  premiums  that  are 
above  stated.  JOHN  HEARD,  Jr.  Chairman. 

Oct.  17,  1827. 


AT  THE  BRIGHTON  CATTLE  SHOW.  127 


REPORT  VII. 

The  Committee  on  iijorldng  oxen,  having  attended  to  the  duties 
of  their  appointment,  Report, 

That  seventeen  yokes  of  oxen  were  entered  for  premiums, 
and  of  these,  fourteen  have  been  subjected  to  the  examina- 
tion of  your  Committee.  Their  strength  and  docility  have 
been  severely  tested — The  attention  which  seems  to  have 
been  paid  by  all  the  competitors,  to  the  selection,  match- 
ing and  training  their  oxen,  bears  honorable  testimony  to 
the  interest  which  is  taken  in  this  important  branch  of  our 
annual  exhibition.  After  duly  considering  the  claims  of 
the  respective  owners,  as  it  regards  strength,  docility,  form 
and  equality  of  match,  your  Committee  have  unanimously 
agreed  to  award  the  Society's  premiums  as  follows— 
To  Luther  Whiting  of  Sutton,  for  his  4  years  old  oxen, 

the  first  premium  of  $25 

To  Charles  Clark  of  Framingham,  for  his  yoke  of  5  years 

old  oxen,  the  second  premium  of  20 

To  Col.  John  Blgelow  of  Sherburn,  for  his  yoke  of  4  years 

old  oxen,  the  second  premium  of  15 

To  Hiram  White  of  Sutton,  for  his  yoke  of  4  years  old 

oxen,  the  fourth  premium  of  12 

To  Silas  Dudley  of  Sutton,  for  his  yoke  of  5  years  old 

oxen,  the  fifth  premium  of  8 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

E.  PIIINNEY,  Chairman. 

Brighton,  Oct.  17,  IS  17. 


128  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

The  Committee  on  Agricultural  Experiments,  have  carefully 
examined  the  communications  received  by  the  Secretary,  since 
their  report  in  October  last,  from  the  several  competitors  for 
premiums  offered  by  the  Trustees ;  and  ask  leave  to  submit 
for  their  consideration  the  following  additional  report,  to 
ivit. 

That  Mr.  Nathan  Grout,  of  Sherburne,  in  the  county  of 
Middlesex,  is  entitled  to  the  premium  of  twenty  dollars, 
for  having  raised,  the  present  year,  the  greatest  quantity 
of  barley,  being  fifty-four  bushels  on  an  acre.  Mr.  Grout 
in  his  communication  states  as  follows.  "  The  soil  is  a 
dark  rich  loam,  quite  level,  and  naturally  moist — in  1826, 
it  was  planted  with  Indian  corn  ;  about  twenty  loads  of 
barn  yard  manure  were  in  part  spread  over  the  land,  and 
the  residue  put  into  the  hills ;  the  corn  was  hoed  three 
times,  and  produced  about  forty  bushels.  Last  spring  it 
was  ploughed  as  early  as  the  ground  would  permit*  There 
were  then  eight  loads  of  barn  yard  manure  spread  upon 
the  acre,  and  ploughed  in.  This  ploughing  was  about 
eight  or  nine  inches  deep,  being  considerably  deeper  than 
I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  ploughing  my  lands — it  was 
then  ploughed  the  third  time  with  a  horse  plough.  About 
52  quarts  of  seed  were  sown  upon  the  furrows,  and  har- 
rowed in ;  it  was  harvested  in  July,  and  the  product  was 
54  bushels  of  well  cleaned,  sound  barley.— -The  quantity 
of  seed  was  less  than  is  usually  sowed ;  but  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  the  crop  would  not  have  been  increased  by 
an  additional  quantity  of  seed.  I  attribute  this  unusual 
crop,  in  some  considerable  degree,  to  the  pains  that  were 
taken  to  prepare  the  land  in  the  best  manner ;  and  I  am 
fully  convinced  that  farmers  in  general  would  promote 
their  interest,  by  bestowing  more  labour  in  preparing  their 
tillage  land  for  crops.  The  expense  of  cultivation,  esti- 
mating labour  at  seventy-five  cents  per  day,  amounted  to 
twenty  dollars  and  sixty-one  cents."    Mr.  Richard  Adams, 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  129 

Jr.  of  Newbury,  exhibited  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  hav- 
ing raised  the  present  year,  fifty  bushels  of  barley  on  an 
acre. 

That  Payson  Williams,  Esq.  of  Fitzburgh,  in  the  county 
of  Worcester,  is  entitled  to  the  premium  of  twenty  dollars, 
for  having  raised  the  greatest  quantity  of  potatoes  on  one 
acre ;  being  five  hundred  and  eighty-two  bushels.  Mr. 
Williams'  statement  is  as  follows:  "As  a  claimant  for 
your  premium  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  potatoes  pro- 
duced from  one  acre  the  current  year,  I  would  state  that 
my  crop  of  5S2  bushels  of  potatoes  on  the  acre  was  grown 
the  present  season,  on  the  same  field  which  produced  559 
bushels  to  the  acre  in  1S26;  as  a  statement  of  that  crop, 
mode  of  culture,  and  kind  of  soil,  was  then  before  you, 
and  can  now  be  referred  to,  it  will  therefore  be  unneces- 
sary to  enter  into  such  detail  at  this  time. — The  first  part 
of  last  May  forty-four  cart  loads  of  unfermented  manure, 
principally  from  the  ^heep  fold,  were  evenly  spread,  and 
immediately  ploughed  in,  nine  inches  in  depth,  my  prac- 
tice for  the  last  five  years.  The  ground  was  then  fur- 
rowed each  way  about  three  feet  apart,  and  five  cuttings 
placed  at  the  intersections  of  the  furrows,  which  were 
shallow.  The  quantity  of  seed  was  forty  bushels,  mostly 
the  reds  of  La  Plata.  The  planting  was  finished  the  15th 
of  May ;  the  weeding  was  performed  with  the  horse  harrow, 
and  hand  hoe.  so  soon  as  the  plants  were  about  one  inch 
above  the  ground.  The  second  and  last  dressing  was  per- 
formed by  furrowing  between  the  rows  each  way,  with  the 
horse  plough,  and  dressing  down  the  hills  with  a  hand 
hoe  ;  at  this  time  the  vines  were  nine  inches  high,  and  be- 
ginning to  bud — as  the  vines  in  a  short  time  from  the  last 
hoeing,  covered  the  ground,  no  other  attention  was  neces- 
sary excepting  occasionally  pulling  a  few  scattering  weeds, 
till  the  crop  was  harvested,  which  was  completed  about 
the  middle  of  October. — The  expense  of  culture,  estimat- 
ing labour  at  sixty  cents  per  day,  and  including  the  value 

Vol.  X.  17 


130  PROCEEDINGS  AND  REPORTS 

of  the  manure  used,  was  fifty-four  dollars  and  sixty  cents.". 
Mr.  Leonard  Hill,  of  East  Bridgewater,  raised  the  present 
year,  on  one  acre  and  eight  rods,  545  bushels  of  potatoes. 
Your  Committee  regret  there  not  being  a  second  premium 
offered  by  the  Trustees,  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  pota- 
toes over  500  bushels  to  the  acre ;  they  would  most  cheer- 
fully have  awarded  the  same  to  Mr.  Hill,  as  a  remunera- 
tion, in  part,  for  his  very  laudable  exertions. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Holden,  of  Shirley,  in  the  county  of 
Middlesex,  raised  98  bushels  of  Indian  corn,  on  one  acre. 
The  following  is  Mr.  Holden's  statement :  "  The  quality 
of  the  land  is  a  yellow  loam.  In  1826,  about  two  thirds 
of  the  land  was  cultivated  with  Indian  corn  in  rows,  and 
manured  at  the  rate  of  20  loads  to  the  acre,  and  the  crop 
was  large.  In  the  autumn,  in  addition  to  this  piece  of 
land,  one  third  of  an  acre  of  grass  ground  was  ploughed, 
making  in  the  whole  one  acre.  In  the  spring  of  1827,  I 
split  the  hills,  and  carried  on  twelve  cart  loads  of  barn 
manure,  spread  and  cross  ploughed  the  whole,  the  ground 
was  then  furrowed  by  turning  two  back  furrows  about  two 
feet  apart ;  a  space  of  four  feet  was  then  left  for  the  plough 
to  pass.  In  these  furrows  were  put  seventeen  cart  loads 
of  manure,  consisting  of  meadow  mud,  barn  yard,  hog 
yard,  and  green  manure.  It  was  planted  about  the  20th 
day  of  May.  Four  kernels  of  corn  were  put  in  the  hills 
abqut  twenty  inches  apart,  taking  care  not  to  have  the  hills 
opposite  to  each  other.  The  seed  was  the  Brighton  twelve 
rowed  yellow  corn  ;  it  was  three  times  ploughed  and  hoed  ; 
the  corn  was  harvested  about  the  middle  of  October,  and 
spread  on  a  corn  chamber  floor,  it  was  weighed  the  13th 
day  of  December;  the  whole  weight  found  to  be  7351  lbs. 
At  this  time  71  i  lbs.  of  ears  made  one  bushel  of  shelled 
corn,  making  in  the  whole  102  bushels  3  pecks  and  I  quart 
of  shelled  corn,  weighing  58  lbs.  to  the  bushel.  The  ex- 
pense of  cultivation,  including  the  value  of  the  manure, 
was  twenty-seven  dollars  and  eighty  cents."     Tiie  Trus- 


AT    THE    BRIGHTON    CATTLE    SHOW.  131 

tees  having  determined,  as  will  be  seen  by  their  list  of  pre- 
miums published  in  January  of  the  last  year  to  consider 
seventy-five  pounds  of  corn  and  cob  as  equivalent  to  one 
bushel  of  shelled  corn,  the  quantity  raised  by  Mr.  Holden 
was  only  98  bushels  and  1-75  part  of  a  bushel ;  and  of 
course  not  entitled  to  the  Society's  premium. 

Mr.  Josiah  Bass  of  Quincy,  raised  the  past  season,  thirty- 
one  bushels  and  one  peck  of  winter  rye,  weighing  fifty- 
nine  pounds  to  the  bushel,  on  one  acre  and  thirty  rods. 
And  Mr.  John  Boynton,  of  Somerset,  in  the  county  of 
Bristol,  raised  57i  bushels  of  oats  on  one  acre  and  sixteen 
rods — No  premium  has  hitherto  been  offered  by  the  Trus- 
tees for  the  raising  of  oats. 

No  claims  were  exhibited  to  your  Committee  for  the 
premiums  offered  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  wheat  raised 
on  one  acre  ;  nor  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  millet,  car- 
rots, beets,  parsnips,  mangel  wurtzel,  ruta  baga,  turnips, 
onions,  cabbages,  peas,  and  beans — nor  for  the  greatest 
quantity  of  vegetables  (grain,  peas  and  beans  excepted) 
raised  for  winter  consumption,  and  not  for  sale — nor  for 
the  most  effectual  mode  of  extirpating  the  worm  that  at- 
tacks the  locust  tree — nor  for  a  mode,  hitherto  unknown, 
to  extirpate  the  borer  that  attacks  the  apple  tree,  which 
shall  appear  to  the  Trustees  to  be  effectual,  and  cheaper 
than  any  mode  now  in  use.  The  best  mode  for  rearing, 
feeding,  and  fattening  neat  cattle — the  utility,  and  com- 
parative value  of  cobs  of  Indian  corn,  when  used  with  or 
without  the  grain  itself,  ground  or  broken — nor  for  the 
greatest  quantity  of  butter  and  cheese,  made  between  the 
15th  day  of  May,  and  the  1st  day  of  October,  from  not 
less  than  four  cows ;  the  quantity  of  butter  and  cheese 
and  the  number  of  cows  to  be  taken  into  consideration. 
The  past  season  having  been  so  uncommonly  propitious 
to  vegetation,  strong  hopes  were  entertained  by  your  Com- 
mittee,  that  our  brother  farmers  would  by  their  experi- 


132  THE    CULTURE    OF    SILK. 

ments  in  agriculture,  have  made  more  numerous  claims 
for  the  premiums  offered  by  the  Trustees.  All  which  is 
respectfully  submitted. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

THOS.  L.  WINTHROP,   Chairman, 
Boston,  Jan.  12th,  1828. 


THE   CULTURE   OF   SILK. 

In  a  former  number,  we  expressed  very  fully  our  views 
on  this  subject.  We  are  happy  to  perceive  that  the  sub- 
ject has  excited  the  attention,  not  only  of  congress,  but  of 
almost  every  state  in  the  union.  The  expectation  that  the 
United  States  will  in  a  few  years  be  able  to  raise  and  pro- 
duce its  own  silk,  is  in  our  opinion  not  visionary.  Every 
part  of  our  country,  from  Massachusetts  to  the  extreme 
west,  is  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of  the  mulberry  tree. 
That  the  worm,  which  furnishes  this.material,  will  flourish 
in  Massachusetts  is  settled  by  the  best  of  all  tests,  experi- 
ence. That  the  character  and  density  of  our  population, 
and  the  habits  of  our  females,  who  must  be  the  chief 
agents  in  its  production,  are  favourable  to  its  successful 
cultivation,  there  can  be  no  doubt.  Although  our  exten- 
sive cotton  manufactories  employ  a  great  number  of  our 
feniiales,  yet  it  is  as  true,  that  seven  eighths  of  them  can 
yet  be  spared  to  the  raising  of  the  silk  worm  ;  an  employ- 
ment, well  adapted  to  their  domestic  character  and  habits. 
To  produce  this  effect,  it  is  only  necessary  that  the  more 
intelligent  and  better  educated  farmers  in  each  town 
should  set  the  example.  It  would  not  be  advisable  that 
this  should  be  done  on  a  great  scale,  so  as  to  interfere 
with  the  general  business  of  the  farm.  The  mulberry 
once  sown  or  planted  requires  no  attention  on  the  part  of 
the  male  portion  of  tlie  public.     Young  females,  and  chil- 


THE    CULTTJRE    OF    SILK.  133 

dren  from  six  years  of  age,  are  competent  to  gather  the 
leaves  and  to  tend  the  worms.  Neither  do  we  think  that 
the  attempt  to  manufacture  the  silk  in  private  families  will 
be  economical.  No  manufacture  requires  more  than  this 
the  division  of  labour.  For  the  raiser  of  the  silk  worm 
the  most  profitable  course  would  be  to  sell  the  cocoons, 
and  as  soon  as  a  sufficient  number  of  them  shall  be  brought 
to  market,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  purchasers  will  be 
found  at  a  remunerating  price.  The  congress  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  have  lately  published  a  report  of  Mr.  Secretary 
Rush,  comprising  a  manual  on  the  subject  of  producing 
silk,  embracing  every  part  of  the  process,  from  the  rearing 
of  the  worm  and  its  peculiar  and  specific  food,  to  the  per- 
fection of  the  manufacture  in  all  its  beautiful  forms  and 
varieties. 

We  have  received  three  copies  of  this  work  from  our 
own  representatives,  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Gorham,  Bailey, 
and  Everett.  The  limits  of  our  publication  will  not  per- 
mit us  to  publish  it  at  large,  but  we  recommend  to  the 
editor  of  the  New  England  Farmer  to  publish  the  ivhole, 
by  slow  degrees,  without  interfering  with  the  other  objects 
of  that  valuable  journal.  The  number  of  copies  at  the 
disposal  of  our  own  members  of  congress  is  too  small  to 
circulate  the  information  as  speedily  and  as  extensively  as 
may  be  desirable.  We  shall  select  for  our  present  num- 
ber the  historical  part,  giving  a  brief  but  very  interest- 
ing account  of  the  history  of  the  production  of  silk  in 
other  countries,  as  well  as  the  efforts  heretofore  made  to 
introduce  the  culture  into  our  own  country.  We  shall 
prefix  the  report  of  the  committee  of  congress  on  this  sub- 
ject to  our  extracts.  Justice  requires  us  to  say,  that  the 
public  are  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  Secretary  Rush  for  the 
indefatigable  and  judicious  manner  in  which  he  has  per- 
formed the  duty  required  of  him  by  congress. 


134  THE    CULTURE    OF    SILK. 

House  ob  Representatives,  Mat  2,  1826. 

M:  T^an  Rensselaer,  from  the  Committee  on  Agriculture,  to 
which  the  subject  had  been  referred,  made  thefolloiving  i?e- 
port : 

The  Committee  on  Agriculture,  to  whom  was  referred 
the  resolution  of  Mr.  Miner,  to  enquire  whether  the  culti- 
vation of  the  mulberry  tree  and  the  breeding  of  silk  worms, 
for  the  purpose  of  producing  silk,  be  a  subject  worthy  of 
Legislative  attention  ;  and  should  they  think  it  to  be  so, 
that  they  obtain  such  information  as  may  be  in  their  pow- 
er respecting  the  kind  of  mulberry  most  preferred,  the  best 
soil,  climate,  and  mode  of  cultivation,  the  probable  value 
of  the  culture,  taking  into  view  the  capital  employed,  the 
labour  and  the  product,  together  with  such  facts  and  opin- 
ions as  they  may  think  useful  and  proper ;  report : 

That  they  have  examined  the  subject  attentively,  and 
have  taken  such  steps  as  they  thought  best  calculated  to 
obtain  information  which  might  be  useful,  and  lead  to 
satisfactory  conclusions. 

The  facts  developed  in  the  course  of  their  enquiries,  tend 
to  place  the  subject  in  an  important  point  of  view.  It  is 
an  interesting  fact,  that  the  mulberry  tree  grows  indige- 
nously throughout  the  United  States,  and  that  silk  may  be 
raised  with  facility  from  the  southern  to  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  union.  Formerly,  considerable  quantities 
pf  silk  were  produced  in  Georgia.  In  1766,  more  than 
twenty  thousand  pounds  of  cocoons  were  exported  from 
thence  to  England.  The  production  of  the  article  was 
suspended,  not  from  any  difficulty  experienced  in  the  pro- 
cess, but  from  causes  connected  with  the  Revolution. 
Measures  have  recently  been  adopted  at  Savannah  with  a 
view  to  the  renewal  of  the  cultivation  of  the  mulberry  tree 
and  breeding  the  silk  worm.  In  Kentucky,  the  committee 
learn  that  sewing  silk  is  now  produced  in  considerable 
quantities,  and  of  excellent  quality.     Many  years  ago  the 


THE    CULTURE    OF    SILK.  135 

attention  of  public  spirited  individuals  in  Pennsylvania  u'as 
turned  to  the  production  of  silk.  The  Persian  mulberry 
was  intr&duced  into  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  by  Bishop 
Ettwein,  where  it  flourished,  and  still  flourishes.  Silk  was 
produced  without  difficulty.  In  Chester  and  other  of  the 
southern  counties  of  that  state,  the  experiment  was  also 
made  with  success.  The  great  demand  and  high  price  of 
bread  stuffs,  owing  to  the  wars  growing  out  of  the  French 
revolution,  rendered  the  cultivation  of  grain  so  profitable 
for  many  years,  that  the  mulberry  was  neglected.  In  1779 
two  hundred  pounds  of  sewing  silk  were  made  in  the  town 
of  Mansfield,  in  Connecticut;  and  in  1810,  according  to 
the  report  of  the  marshal  who  took  the  census,  the  value 
of  silk  produced  in  Windham  county  was  estimated  at 
f27,373.  The  committee  learn  that  the  production  of 
silk  is  still  attended  to  and  found  profitable.  Some  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  sewing  silk,  the  production  of  that  state, 
have  been  exhibited  to  the  committee.  Of  the  fact,  there- 
fore, that  the  United  States  can  produce  silk  for  its  own 
consumption,  and  even  for  exportation  to  the  extent  of 
foreign  demand,  there  appears  no  reason  to  doubt.  There 
are  few  persons,  the  committee  believe,  even  the  most  in- 
telligent of  our  citizens,  (who  have  not  turned  their  atten- 
tion particularly  to  the  subject,)  who  will  not  be  surprised 
at  the  view  presented  by  the  following  official  statement 
of  the  value  of  silks  imported  into  the  United  States  the 
last  five  years  : 

Statement  of  the  value  of  silk  goods  imported  and  exported  in 
the  years  1821  to  1825,  inclusive. 


Years. 

Lnported. 

Exported. 

1821 

14,486,924 

fl,057,233 

1822 

6,480,928 

1,016,262 

1823 

6,713,771 

1,512,449 

1824 

7,203,344 

1,816,325 

1825 

10,271,527 
.$35,156,494 

2,565,742 

.^7,968,0 11 

136  THE    CULTURE    OF    SILK. 

What  a  bounty  is  paid  by  us  to  support  the  agriculturist 
and  manufacturer  of  other  nations,  on  articles  which  our 
country,  with  a  few  years  of  care,  might  supply'!  How 
important  it  is  that  the  agriculturist  should  turn  his  atten- 
tion to  new  objects  of  production,  is  very  fully  shown  by 
the  circumstance  of  the  diminished  and  diminishing  de- 
mand of  bread  stuffs  abroad. 

In  1817,  the  exports  of  bread  stuffs  )  ^20,374,000 
amounted  to  ^  •/?     ?       > 

In  1818, 15,388,000 

In  1824, 6,799,246 

In  1825,         -         -         -         -         -        5,417,997 

An  importation  of  ten  millions  of  dollars  of  silks ;  an 
export  of  five  millions  of  bread  stuffs  !  The  facts  speak 
the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  indicate  the  necessity 
that  exists  of  awakening  the  slumbering  agricultural  re- 
sources of  our  country,  by  introducing  new  and  profitable 
articles  of  production.  Knowledge  is  power  in  agricul- 
ture no  less  than  in  politics;  information  is  capital  and  the 
means  of  valuable  improvement.  The  committee  conceive 
that  the  first  and  most  important  measure  to  be  taken  is  to 
acquire  and  circulate  clear,  distinct  and  precise  informa- 
tion on  these  points :  the  relative  value  of  the  cultivation 
of  the  mulberry,  and  the  production  of  silk,  compared  with 
other  agricultural  productions  in  the  different  sections  of 
the  union,  capital  and  labour  being  considered.  The  kind 
of  mulberry  best  suited  to  the  object ;  the  most  advan- 
tageous mode  of  cultivation  ;  the  most  approved  manner 
of  managing  the  silk  worm,  and  an  explanation  of  the  pro- 
cess till  the  article  is  ready  for  market.  The  committee 
incline  to  the  opinion  that  the  best  mode  of  raising  silk 
will  be  for  every  farmer  and  planter  to  appropriate  a  small 
portion  of  ground,  as  for  a  fruit  orchard,  for  raising  the 
mulberry  tree,  calculating  to  produce  as  many  worms  as 
his  own  family  will  enable  him  to  manage  without  incrcas- 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  137 

ing  his  expenses,  and  without  permitting  it,  until  the  ex- 
periment shall  have  been  fully  tried,  to  interfere  with  the 
regular  course  of  his  usual  pursuits.  A  single  acre  plant- 
ed with  the  mulberry  will  produce  from  500  to  600  pounds 
raw  silk,  the  value  of  which  to  the  individual  would  richly 
compensate  for  the  capital  and  labour  employed,  and  the 
aggregate  to  the  country  be  of  great  importance. 

The  fact  is  worthy  of  notice,  that,  notwithstanding  the 
high  price  of  land  in  Ireland,  where  a  year's  rent  of  land 
exceeds  the  price  of  the  soil  in  many  parts  of  our  country, 
yet  so  valuable  is  the  mulberry  considered,  that  importa- 
tions of  trees  from  the  Mediterranean  have  been  made 
during  the  last  year,  for  the  purpose  of  producing  silk. 
Your  committee  addressed  inquiries  to  several  intelligent 
gentlemen  who  were  presumed  competent  to  give  them 
information  upon  the  subject ;  and  among  the  papers  re- 
ceived in  reply,  they  beg  leave  to  present  to  the  particular 
attention  of  the  house  a  valuable  memoir,  replete  with  in- 
teresting facts  and  useful  information,  from  Edmund  C. 
Genet,  Esq.,  and  also  several  communications  from  other 
gentlemen,  to  whose  attention  the  committee  acknowledge 
their  obligations.  As  the  result  of  these  inquiries,  believ- 
ing that  knowledge  on  the  subject  is  of  the  first  impor- 
tance, the  committee  submit  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  cause  to  be 
prepared  a  well-digested  manual,  containing  the  best  prac- 
tical information  that  can  be  collected  on  the  growth  and 
manufacture  of  silk,  adapted  to  the  different  parts  of  the 
union,  containing  such  facts  and  observations  in  relation 
to  the  growth  and  manufacture  of  silk  in  other  countries 
as  may  be  useful,  and  that  the  same  be  laid  before  con- 
gress at  the  commencement  of  their  next  session. 

Vol.  X.  18 


138  THE    CULTURE    OF    SItK. 

-  •  .   -:!)  lilrrrr  .';-;  fnir 

House  oe  Representatives,  February  11,  1828. 

Mr.  Van  Rensselaer,  from  the  Committee  on  Agriculture,  to 
which  the  subject  had  been  referred,  made  the  following  Re- 
port : 

The  committee  on  agriculture,  to  which  was  referred 
the  report  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  made  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  resolution  of  the  house  of  representatives,  passed 
the  eleventh  of  May  1826,  directing  the  secretary  to  pre- 
pare a  well-digested  manual  on  the  growth  and  manufac- 
ture of  silk,  have  agreed  to  the  following  resolution,  which 
they  have  instructed  their  chairman  to  submit  to  the  house  : 

Resolved,  That  six  thousand  copies  of  said  manual  and 
report  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  house. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK. 

The  silk-worm,  or,  more  properly,  the  silk-caterpillar, 
is  a  native  of  China.  The  people  resident  in  the  northern 
part  of  that  country,  called  Seres,  having  been  expelled 
by  the  Huns,  in  the  ninety-third  year  of  the  Christian  era, 
settled  in  Little  Bucharia,*  and  were,  for  many  centuries, 
the  sole  cultivators  of  the  precious  article,  with  which  they 
supplied  the  rest  of  the  world.  The  earliest  mention  of 
silk  is  in  the  translation  of  the  Bible  by  Jerome,  who  enu- 
merates it  among  the  numerous  articles,  which  were  im- 
ported from  Syria  by  the  Phoenicians,  those  spirited  mer- 
chants, and  skilful  manufacturers,  who,  although  seated  in 
a  barren  and  narrow  country,  confined  on  one  side  by  the 
sea,  and  by  a  range  of  mountains  on  the  other,  became  a 
great  naval  and  commercial  power,  which,  for  a  very  long 
period,  secured  to  them  a  monopoly  of  trade  by  sea,  and 

*  The  identity  of  Bucharia  with  the  country  of  the  Seres,  is  established 
from  the  description  of  it  by  Auunianus  Marcelliuus,  a  writer  of  credit  in  the 
third  century. 


HISTORY   OF    SILK.  139 

tendered  their  "  merchants  princes,  and  their  traffickers  the 
honourable  of  the  earth."^  The  singular  lustre  and  beauty 
of  silk,  and  the  delicate  structure  of  the  fabric,  could  not 
fail  to  prove  highly  attractive  to  mankind :  and  hence  it 
constituted  one  of  the  articles  which  were  brought  from 
China  by  traders,  who,  in  caravans,  performed  long  and 
toilsome  journeys  through  the  trackless  sands  and  deserts 
of  Asia,  to  the  different  ports  of  Syria  and  Egypt,  which 
successively  became  the  depots  of  commerce.  For  a  long 
time,  two  hundred  and  forty-three  days  were  consumed  in 
these  expeditions.  Cosmas,  himself  a  trader,  speaks  of 
the  distance  between  China  and  Persia,  as  requiring  one 
hundred  and  fifty  days  to  perform  the  route.  The  cities 
of  Turfan  and  Cashgar,  were  the  rendezvous  of  these  cara- 
vans.f 

The  Seres  themselves  never  left  home,  being  "  a  gentle 
race  who  shunned  mankind." 

The  distance  whence  the  article  was  brought,  and  the 
small  quantities  with  which  the  world  was  supplied,  ne- 
cessarily caused  the  price  to  be  far  beyond  the  reach  of 
any  but  the  rich ;  and  even  when  the  Roman  power  ex- 
tended over  half  the  globe,  as  then  known,  this  brilliant 
and  ornamental  article  of  dress  was  scarcely  known  to 
them.  It  is  probable,  that  they  first  became  acquainted 
with  its  real  nature  from  the  writings  of  Dionysius  Perie- 
getes,  the  geographer,  who  had  been  sent  by  Augustus  to 
compile  an  account  of  the  oriental  regions,  and  who  in- 
formed his  countrymen  that  precious  garments  were  manu- 
factured by  the  Seres,  from  threads  finer  than  those  of  the 
spider.f  Among  all  the  articles  of  elegance  belonging  to 
the  luxurious  Cleopatra,  none  seemed  to  excite  their  admi- 

*   Isaiah  23,  8. 

t  Ptolemy  speaks  of  Comedse,  (the  present  Cashgar)  as  the  "  receptaculum 
eoruni  qui  ad  Seres  negotii  causa  profisciuntur,  penes  Iniaum  Montis."  Asia, 
tab  :  vii. 

I  Periegetes  de  situ  orbis,  6  v,  p.  752. 


140  HISTORY    OF    SILK.  * 

ration  and  astonishment,  as  the  silk  sails  of  her  pleasure- 
barge,  in  which  she  visited  them  at  Alexandria.  For  a 
long  time  after,  it  continued  to  be  so  scarce  and  dear,  that, 
in  the  Roman  dominions,  it  was  confined  to  women  of  for- 
tune. It  was  moreover  deemed  so  effeminate  an  article, 
as  to  be  unfit  for  the  dress  of  men ;  and,  in  the  reign  of 
Tiberius,  a  law  was  passed,  "  that  no  man  should  dishonour 
himself  by  wearing  silken  garments."*  Two  hundred  years 
subsequent  to  this  date,  the  use  of  it  constituted  one  of 
th6  many  opprobrious  charges  which  were  made  against 
the  character  of  the  Emperor  Elagabulus.  Even  fifty 
years  after,  another  emperorf  refused  his  queen  a  garment 
of  silk,  by  the  reason  of  the  high  price  it  bore — its  weight 
in  gold. 

For  centuries,  the  Persians  enjoyed  a  monopoly  of  the 
trade  in  silk,  but,  after  they  were  subdued  by  Alexander, 
(300  years  before  Christ,)  this  valuable  commodity  was 
brought  to  Greece,  and  thence  sent  to  Rome.  The  anxiety 
of  the  luxurious  people  of  that  nation,  to  trade  with  those 
from  which  the  costly  article  was  to  be  procured,  induced 
the  Emperor  Marcus  Antoninus  to  send  Ambassadors  to 
negotiate  a  more  direct  comm-ercial  intercourse  with  their 
country,  than  the  subjects  of  Rome  had  yet  been  able  to 
accomplish  ;  and  as  the  jealousy  of  the  Parthians  and  Per- 
sians prevented  the  passage  of  all  foreigners  through  their 
kingdoms  to  China,  the  Ambassadors  were  obliged  to  pro- 
ceed by  the  tedious  way  of  Egypt  and  India.  Another 
was  sent  in  the  year  272,  which  led  to  more  favourable  ar- 
rangements, and  a  shorter  route,  viz  :  along  the  ranges  of 
mountains,  now  called  Hindookho,  and  Cuttore.J  But  the 
price  of  silk,  for  a  long  time,  continued  a  source  of  regret, 

*  Ne  Vestis  Seiica  viros  foedaret.     Tacitus,  book  2(J,  chap.  33. 

t  Aurelian.  Vopiscus  in  vitam  Aureliani,  c.  45,  libra  enim  auri  tunclibra 
serici  fuit. 

X  See  Renners  map  of  the  countiies  between  Iho  Ganges  and  the  Caspian 
Sea. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  141 

and  the  article  an  object  of  increasing  desire  among  the 
wealthy.  Justinian  made  another  attempt,  shortly  after 
he  ascended  the  throne,  to  obtain  it.  He  sent  Julian  as 
his  Ambassador  to  the  Christian  King  of  Axuma,  in  Abys- 
sinia, requestin-g,  that,  for  the  sake  of  their  common  reli- 
gion, he  would  assist  him  in  a  war  with  Persia,  and  direct 
his  subjects  to  purchase  silks  in  India,  in  order  to  sell 
them  to  the  Romans,  whereby  the  Axumites  would  acquire 
great  wealth,  and  the  Romans  would  have  the  satisfaction 
of  paying  their  gold  into  the  hands  of  their  friends,  instead 
of  enriching  their  Persian  enemies.  Julian  also  urged  the 
Homerites  in  Arabia  Felix,  then  under  the  vassalage  of 
Axuma,  to  the  same  effect ;  and  promised,  on  the  part  of 
the  Emperor,  to  purchase  silk  from  them,  if,  with  their  as- 
sistance, he  could  wrest  the  silk  trade  from  the  Persians, 
and  they  become  the  medium  of  intercourse  with  the 
country  of  the  Seres.  The  Kings  of  both  the  countries 
promised  to  comply  with  the  Emperor's  request ;  but  nei- 
ther were  able  or  willing  to  fulfil  their  engagements.  The 
alleged  causes  for  their  non-compliance,  were,  some  inter- 
nal commotions  among  the  Homerites,  and  the  recall  of 
Belisarius,  who,  with  an  army,  to  which  the  Arabian  aux- 
iliary troops  were  joined,  protected  the  East  from  the  in- 
vasions of  the  Persians.*  This  nation,  by  having  the  com- 
mand of  the  land  carriage  from  the  country  of  the  Seres, 
still  enjoyed  almost  a  monopoly,  with  respect  to  the  western 
world,  of  Indian  commodities ;  but  more  especially  silk, 
with  which  it  supplied  remote  nations  at  extravagant 
prices.  From  this  distress,  which  was  felt  and  lamented 
as  a  real  misfortune,  by  the  Senators  of  the  Roman  em- 
pire, they  were  released  in  a  very  extraordinary  and  unex- 
pected manner.  Tiic  preachers  of  the  Nestorian  doctrine, 
liaving  been  exiled  by  the  persecuting  spirit  of  the  eccle- 
siastical government  of  Byzantium,  fled  to  India.     Their 

*  Piocopius,  p.  34, 


142  HISTORY    OF    SILK. 

patriarch,  who  resided  in  Persia,  sent  missions,  and  every 
where  established  convents  and  bishoprics.  Two  of  his 
monks,  who  had  been  employed  as  missionaries  in  some  of 
the  Christian  churches,  which  were  established  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  India,  having  penetrated  into  the  country  of 
the  Seres,  had  observed  the  labours  of  the  silk  worms,  and 
become  acquainted  with  the  art  of  working  their  produc- 
tion into  a  variety  of  elegant  fabrics.  Aware  of  the  anxi- 
ety of  the  Europeans  on  this  subject,  they  repaired  to 
Constantinople,  and  imparted  to  the  Emperor  Justinian 
the  secret  which  had  hitherto  been  so  well  preserved  by 
the  Seres,  that  Silk  was  produced  by  a  species  of  worms, 
the  eggs  of  which  might  be  transported  with  safety,  and 
propagated  in  his  dominions.  By  the  promise  of  a  great 
reward,  they  were  induced  to  return,  and  brought  away  a 
quantity  of  the  silk  worm's  eggs,  in  the  hollow  of  a  cane, 
and  conveyed  them  safely  to  Constantinople,  about  the 
year  555.  The  eggs  were  hatched  in  the  proper  season  by 
the  warmth  of  a  manure  heap,  the  worms  were  fed  with 
the  leaves  of  the  mulberry  tree,  and  their  race  propagated 
under  the  direction  of  the  monks.*  The  insects,  thus  hap- 
pily produced  from  this  caneful  of  eggs,  as  if  the  little 
ark  of  the  insect  race,  were  the  progenitors  of  all  the  silk 
worms  of  Europe,  and  the  western  parts  of  Asia.  Vast 
numbers  of  these  insects  were  soon  reared  in  different 
parts  of  Greece,  particularly  in  the  Peloponnesus.  The 
monks  having  also  made  themselves  masters  of  the  art  of 
manufacturing  silk,  the  business  was  conducted  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Emperor,  and  for  his  exclusive  benefit : 
but  the  imperial  monopoly  could  not  long  continue,  and 
mankind  gradually  became  possessed  of  the  precious  in- 
sects, after  the  death  of  Justinian,  in  the  year  565. f  The 
people  of  the  Peninsula,  and  of  the  cities  of  Athens  and 

*  The  monks  procured  the  eggs  from  the  colony  of  the  Seres,  in  Little  Bu- 
charia. 

■f  Procopius  de  Bello  Gothico,  lib,  12,  cap.  17. 


HISTORY   OF    SILK.  143 

Thebes,  enjoyed  the  profit  of  the  culture  and  manufacture 
of  silk  without  a  European  rival,  for  upwards  of  400  years  ; 
and  the  Venetians,  during  the  continuance  of  their  com- 
mercial glory,  distributed  the  products  of  their  industry 
over  the  western  parts  of  Europe.  At  length,  Roger,  the 
Norman  King  of  Sicily,  after  his  return  from  the  second 
crusade,  in  order  to  anticipate  an  attack,  which  the  Go- 
vernment of  Byzantium  was  preparing  against  him,  and  to 
revenge  the  insult  of  the  imprisonment  of  his  Ambassa- 
dors, whom  he  sent  to  form  a  treaty  and  a  matrimonial 
alliance  with  the  Emperor  Comnenus,  made  war  upon 
Greece,  in  the  year  1146,  with  a  powerful  naval  and  mili- 
tary force.  Corey ra,  the  present  Corfu,  first  yielded  to 
the  arms  of  the  invaders,  and  the  surrender  of  the  other 
cities  of  Greece,  and  all  the  Morea,  followed  in  speedy 
succession.  The  spoils  were  great ;  but  what  peculiarly 
distinguished  this  war  from  most  others,  which  have  no 
consequence  than  the  exaltation  of  one  individual,  the  de- 
pression of  another,  and  the  misery  of  thousands,  was  the 
capture  of  a  great  number  of  silk  weavers,  who  were  car- 
ried off,  and  settled  in  Palermo,  the  capital  city  of  the 
conqueror.  By  the  order  of  the  King,  the  Grecian  pris- 
oners taught  his  Sicilian  subjects  to  raise  and  feed  silk 
worms,  and  to  weave  all  the  varieties  of  silk  stuffs ;  and 
so  well  did  they  profit  by  the  lessons  of  their  instructors, 
that,  in  the  course  of  twenty  years,  the  silk  manufacturers 
of  Sicily  were  subjects  of  notice  and  of  praise,  by  the 
historians  of  the  age.* 

The  Saracens  had,  before  this  time,  obtained  the  know- 
ledge of  the  various  operations  of  the  silk  manufacture, 
and  spread  it  over  their  widely  extended  dominions.  Lis- 
bon and  Almeria,  the  two  Saracen  cities  of  Spain,  were 
especially  famous  for  their  silk  fabrics;  and  the  island  of 
Majorca  and  Ivica  paid  their  tribute  to  the  Kings  of  Arra- 

*  Muratoii   Scriptor,  Vutur,  vi.  cul.  (JGlJ — Macphciboii'b  Aiuials,   vol.  1,  p. 

322. 


144  HISTORY   OF    SILK. 

gon  in  silks.  The  Italian  States  soon  after  engaged  in  the 
silk  culture  and  manufacture ;  and,  in  the  year  1306j  this 
business  was  so  far  advanced,  as  to  yield  a  revenue  to  the 
State.  In  France,  Louis  the  XI,  and  his  son  Charles  the 
VIII,  established  a  number  of  Italian  workmen  at  Tours; 
but  it  is  to  Henry  IV,  that  France  is  indebted,  for  placing 
the  culture  of  silk  and  its  manufacture  upon  a  solid  basis. 
Having  put  an  end  to  the  civil  wars  of  the  nation,  he  deter- 
mined to  give  every  possible  encouragement  to  this  im- 
portant branch  of  industry,  by  recommending  and  enforcing 
the  general  planting  of  mulberry  trees,  and  the  rearing  of 
silk  worms.  The  merit  of  Henry,  on  this  occasion,  is  in- 
creased by  the  fact,  that  his  views  and  measures  were  in 
direct  opposition  to  the  advice  of  his  favourite  and  wise 
minister  Sully,  who  held  the  project  in  little  consideration, 
as  appears  by  his  own  memoirs,  in  which  he  candidly  re- 
cords the  discussions  which  he  had  with  the  King  on  the 
subject.  In  the  year  1455,  mention  is  made  of  a  company 
of  silk  women  in  England.  In  1504,  the  manufacture  of 
ribbons,  laces,  and  girdles,  was  so  considerable,  as  to  be 
protected  by  a  prohibitory  statute.  In  1561,  Queen  Eliza- 
beth was  presented  with  a  pair  of  black  knit  silk  stockings, 
with  which  she  was  so  well  pleased,  that  she  never  after 
wore  any  of  another  material.  James  I.  was  extremely 
solicitous  to  encourage  the  silk  manufacture,  and  recom- 
mended it  several  times  from  the  throne  :  and,  in  the  year 
1608,  addressed  a  long  letter  on  the  subject,  written  with 
his  own  hand,  to  the  Lord  Lieutenants  of  every  county  in 
the  kingdom,  to  whom  mulberry  plants  and  seeds  were 
sent  for  distribution.  He  also  had  a  book  of  instructions 
composed,  on  the  rearing  of  the  trees  and  the  culture  of 
silk,  to  promote  the  success  of  his  project.  The  royal 
wishes  do  not  appear  to  have  been  seconded  by  his  sub- 
jects ;  but  he  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  the  broad  silk 
manufactory  introduced  in  the  latter  end  of  his  reign. 
The  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes  in  the  year  1685, 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  ,       145 

which  drove  all  the  Protestants  from  France,  permanently 
established  the  business  in  England  ;  and  the  erection  of 
the  silk  throwing  mill  of  Sir  Thomas  Lombe  at  Derby,  in 
the  year  1719,  greatly  promoted  it,  by  the  rapid  prepara- 
tion of  the  raw  material. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

The  culture  of  silk  first  commenced  in  Virginia.  Upon 
the  settlement  of  that  colony,  it  was  deemed  an  object  of 
the  first  importance  ;  and  the  attention  of  the  settlers  was 
strongly  directed  to  it  by  the  British  government,  by  which 
silk-worm  eggs,  white  mulberry  trees,  and  printed  instruc- 
tions, were  sent  over  and  distributed.  King  James  the 
First,  in  the  20th  year  of  his  reign,  having,  doubtless,  seen 
the  defeat  of  his  plan  to  encourage  the  silk  culture  at 
home,  was  induced  to  attempt  it  in  Virginia  ;  and,  "  having 
understood  that  the  soil  naturally  yieldeth  store  of  excel- 
lent mulberries,"  gave  instructions  to  the  Earl  of  South- 
ampton, to  urge  the  cultivation  of  silk  in  the  colony,  in 
preference  to  tobacco,  "  which  brings  with  it  many  disor- 
ders and  inconveniences."  In  obedience  to  the  command, 
the  Earl  wrote  an  express  letter  on  the  subject,  to  the 
Governor  and  Council,  in  which  he  desired  them  to  com- 
pel the  colonists  to  plant  mulberry  trees,  and  also  vines. 
Accordingly,  "  as  early  as  the  year  1G23,  the  colonial  as- 
sembly directed  the  planting  of  mulberry  trees ;  and,  in 
1G56,  another  act  was  passed,  in  which  the  culture  of  silk 
is  described  as  the  most  profitable  commodity  for  the 
country ;  and  a  penalty  of  ten  pounds  of  tobacco  is  im- 
posed upon  every  planter  who  should  fail  to  plant,  at  least, 
ten  mulberry  trees  for  every  hundred  acres  of  land  in  his 
possession.     In  the  same  year  a  premium  of  4,000  pounds 

Vol.  X.  19 


<% 


146  HISTORY    OF    SILK. 

of  tobacco*  was  given  to  a  person  as  an  inducement  to 
remain  in  the  country,  and  prosecute  the  trade  in  silk  ; 
and,  in  the  next  year,  a  premium  of  10,000  pounds  of 
tobacco  was  offered  to  any  one  who  should  export  £200 
worth  of  the  raw  material  of  silk.  About  the  same  time, 
5,000  pounds  of  the  same  article  was  promised  "  to  any 
one  who  should  produce  1,000  pounds  of  wound  silk  in 
one  year."  The  act  of  1G56,  coercing  the  planting  of  the 
mulberry  trees,  was  repealed,  in  the  year  1658,  but  was  re- 
vived two  years  after ;  and  the  system  of  rewards  and  pen- 
alties was  steadily  pursued  until  the  year  1666,  when  it 
was  determined  that  all  statutory  provisions  were  thereaf- 
ter unnecessary,  as  the  success  of  divers  persons  in  the 
growth  of  silk  and  other  manufactures  "  evidently  demon- 
strated how  beneficial  the  same  would  prove."  Three 
years  after,  legislative  encouragements  were  revived  ;  but 
subsequently  to  the  year  1669,  the  interference  of  govern- 
ment seems  entirely  to  have  ceased. f  The  renewal  of  the 
premiums  after  the  act  of  the  year  1658,  was,  doubtless, 
owing  to  the  recommendation  of  Charles  II. :  for,  in  the 
year  1661,  among  the  instructions  given  to  Sir  Wm. 
Berkeley,  upon  his  reappointment  as  Governor,  and  while 
in  England  on  a  visit,  the  King  recommended  the  cultiva- 
tion of  silk,  and  mentioned,  as  an  inducement  to  the  colo- 
nists to  attend  to  his  advice,  "  that  he  had  formerly  worn 
some  of  the  silk  of  Virginia,  which  he  found  not  inferior 
to  that  raised  in  other  countries."  This  remark  is  proba- 
bly the  ground  of  the  tradition  mentioned  by  Beverly,  that 
the  King  had  worn  a  robe  of  Virginia  silk  at  his  corona- 
tion.f 

*  In  the  early  settlement  nf  Virginia,  tobacco  was  the  circulating  medium, 
the  substitute  for  money,  as  sewing  silk  is,  in  part,  at  present  in  Windham 
county,  Connecticut. 

t  Henning's  Statutes  of  Virginia,  vol.  1  &  2. — Letter  to  the  S  ^retary  of 
the  Treasury  in  answer  to  the  silk  circular,  from  the  Honourable  John  Tyler, 
late  Governor  of  Virginia. 

:j:  Burke's  Hist.  Virginia,  vol,  2,  p.  125. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  147 

The  revived  encouragement  given  by  the  Colonial 
Legislature  to  the  culture  of  silk,  had  the  desired  effect. 
Mulberry  trees  were  generally  planted,  and  the  rearing  of 
silk-worms  formed  a  part  of  the  regular  business  of  many 
of  the  farmers.  Major  Walker,  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture, produced  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  having  70,000 
trees  growing  in  the  year  1664,  and  claimed  the  premium. 
Other  claims  of  a  like  tenor  were  presented  the  same  ses- 
sion.* The  eastern  part  of  the  State  abounds  at  present 
with  white  mulberry  trees  ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  the  peo- 
ple will  see  their  interest  in  renewing  the  culture  of  silk. 

Upon  the  settlement  of  Georgia,  in  1732,  the  culture  of 
silk  was  also  contemplated  as  a  principal  object  of  atten- 
tion, and  lands  were  granted  to  settlers  upon  condition 
that  they  planted  one  hundred  white  mulberry  trees  on 
every  ten  acres,  when  cleared  ;  and  ten  years  w^ere  allowed 
for  their  cultivation.  Trees,  seed,  and  the  eggs  of  silk- 
worms, were  sent  over  by  the  trustees,  to  whom  the  man- 
agement of  the  colony  was  committed.  An  Episcopal 
clergyman,  and  a  native  of  Piedmont,  were  engaged  to  in- 
struct the  people  in  the  art  of  rearing  the  worms  and  wind- 
ing the  silk.  In  order  to  keep  alive  the  idea  of  the  silk 
culture,  and  of  the  views  of  the  Government  respecting 
it,  on  one  side  of  the  public  seal  was  a  representation  of 
silk-worms  in  their  various  stages,  with  this  appropriate 
motto,  "non  sibi  sed  aliis."t  By  a  manuscript  volume  of 
proceedings  and  accounts  of  the  trustees,  to  which  the 
writer  has  had  access,  it  appears  that  the  first  parcel  of 
silk  which  was  received  by  the  trustees,  was  in  the  year 
1735,  when  eight  pounds  of  raw  silk  were  exported  from 
Savannah  to  England.  It  was  made  into  a  piece,  and  pre- 
sented to  the  queen.  J 

•  Buike,  vol.2,  p.  241. 

t  M'CalFs  History  of  Georgia,  vol.  1,  p.  22,  29. 

:j:  "  The  trustees  of  Georgia  waitetl  on  her  majesty  with  some  silk  from 
Georgia,  which  had  proved  very  good.     It  is  to  be   wove  into  a  piece  for  her 


148  HISTORY    OF    SILK. 

From  this  time,  until  the  year  1750,  there  are  entries  of 
large  parcels  of  raw  silk  received  from  Georgia,  the  pro- 
duce of  cocoons  raised  by  the  inhabitants,  and  bought 
from  them,  at  established  prices,  by  the  agents  of  the  trus- 
tees, who  had  it  reeled  off  under  their  direction.  In  the 
year  1751,  a  public  filature  was  erected,  by  order  of  the 
trustees.  "  The  exports  of  silk,  from  the  year  1750  to 
1754,  inclusive,  amounted  to  f  S,SSO.  In  the  year  1757, 
one  thousand  and  fifty  pounds  of  raw  silk  were  received 
at  the  filature.  In  the  year  1758,  this  building  was  con- 
sumed by  fire,  with  a  quantity  of  silk,  and  7,040  pounds  of 
cocoons  ;  but  another  was  erected.  In  the  year  1759,  the 
colony  exported  upwards  of  10,000  weight  of  raw  silk, 
which  sold  two  or  three  shillings  higher  per  pound,  than 
that  of  any  other  country."*  According  to  an  official 
statement  of  William  Brown,  Controller  of  the  Customs  of 
Savannah,  8,829  pounds  of  raw  silk  were  exported  between 
the  year  1755  and  1772,  inclusive. f  The  last  parcel 
brought  for  sale  to  Savannah,  was  in  the  year  1790,  when 
upwards  of  two  hundred  weight  were  purchased  for  ex- 
portation, at  ISs.  and  265.  per  pound. J 

majesty." — Gentlemen's  Mag.  Vol.  5,  p.  448,  The  following  entry  appears 
in  the  manuscript  book  of  the  trustees,  under  date,  1736  :  "The  raw  silk 
from  Georgia,  organzined  by  Sir  Thomas  Lombe,  was  made  into  a  piece  of 
silk,  and  presented  to  the  queen."  Under  date  1738,  is  a  charge  "  for  making 
a  rich  brocade,  and  dying  the  silk  from  Georgia,  26^." 

*  M 'Call's  Hist.  Georgia,  vol.  1,  p.  251. 

t  It  will  be  seen  that  this  statement  differs  from  that  of  Mr.  M'Call.  It 
first  appeared  in  B.  Roman's  account  of  Florida,  and  afterwards  in  Aikin's 
Pennsylvania  Magazine,  for  July  1775.  An  opinion  of  the  quality  of  the 
Georgia  silk,  may  be  formed  from  the  following  document : 

"  A  paper  was  laid  before  the  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations,  by 
about  forty  eminent  silk  throwsters  and  weavers,  declaring,  that,  having  ex- 
amined a  parcel  of  about  300  pounds  weight  of  Georgia  raw  silk,  imported  in 
February  last,  they  found  the  nature  and  texture  of  it  truly  good,  the  colour 
beautiful,  the  thread  even,  and  clean  as  the  best  Piedmont,  and  will  be  work- 
ed with  less  waste  than  China  silk." — London  Magazine  for  1755. 

J  The  late  Charles  Harris,  Esq. :    letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  149 

Some  attention  was  also  paid,  in  early  times,  to  the  cul- 
ture of  silk  in  South  Carolina ;  and  the  writer  has  been 
informed,  that,  during  a  certain  period,  it  was  a  fashiona- 
ble occupation.  The  ladies  sent  the  raw  silk  produced  by 
them  to  England,  and  had  it  manufactured.  "  Tn  the  year 
1755,  Mrs.  Pinckney,  the  same  lady  who,  about  ten  years 
before,  had  introduced  the  indigo  plant  into  South  Caroli- 
na, took  with  her  to  England  a  quantity  of  excellent  silk, 
which  she  had  raised  and  spun  in  the  vicinity  of  Charleston, 
sufficient  to  make  three  complete  dresses  :  one  of  them 
was  presented  to  the  princess  dowager  of  Wales,  and 
another  to  Lord  Chesterfield.  They  were  allowed  to  be 
equal  to  any  silk  ever  imported.  The  third  dress,  now 
(1809)  in  Charleston,  in  the  possession  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Horry,  is  remarkable  for  its  beauty,  firmness,  and 
strength."*  The  quantity  of  raw  silk  cAported  as  mer- 
chandise was  small;  for,  during  six  years,  only  251  lbs. 
were  entered  at  the  custom-house. t  The  quality  of  it  was 
excellent :  according  to  the  certificate  of  Sir  Thomas 
Lombe,  the  eminent  silk  manufacturer,  it  had  as  much 
strength  and  beauty  as  the  silk  of  Italy. J  At  New  Bor- 
deaux, a  French  settlement,  70  miles  above  Augusta,  the 
people  supplied  much  of  the  high  country  with  sewing 
silk,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. § 

In  the  year  1771,  the  cultivation  of  silk  began  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  Jersey,  and  continued  vvith  spirit  for 
several  years.  The  subject  had  been  frequently  mention- 
ed in  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  as  one  of  those 
useful  designs  which  it  was  proper  for  them  to  promote  ; 
but  they  were  induced  to  enter  into  a  final  resolution  on  it, 
in  consequence  of  a  letter  being  laid  before  them  on  the 

*  Ram.=ay's  History  of  South  Carolina,  vol.  1,  p.  221. 

t  Viz.  :  in  the  years  1742,  1748,  1749,  1750,  1753,  1755. — Dodsley's  Annual 
Register,  17G1. 

:j:  An  Impartial  Enquiry  into  the  State  of  Georgia. — London,  1741,  p.  79. 

^Thomas  McCall,  Esquire  :   answer  to  tiie  silk  circular. 


150  HISTORY    OF    SILK^ 

5th  January  1770,  from  Doctor  Franklin,  who  was  then  in 
London  as  Agent  of  the  Colony,  and  in  answer  to  one 
which  had  been  written  to  him  on  the  same  subject  by  the 
late  Doctor  Cadvvallader  Evans.  In  this  letter  from  Dr. 
Franklin,  he  recommended  the  culture  of  silk  to  his  coun- 
trymen, and  advised  the  establishment  of  a  public  filature 
in  Philadelphia,  for  winding  the  cocoons.  He  also  sent  to 
the  Society  a  copy  of  the  work  by  the  Abbe  Sauvage,  on 
the  rearing  of  silk  worms.  A  committee  having  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Society  to  frame  a  plan  for  promoting  the 
culture  of  silk,  and  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, praying  for  public  encouragement  of  the  design, 
they  proposed  to  raise  a  fund,  by  subscription,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  cocoons,  to  establish  a  filature,  and  to  offer  for 
public  sale  all  the  silk  purchased  and  wound  off  at  the 
filature;  the  produce  thereof  to  be  duly  accounted  for, 
and  to  remain  in  the  stock  for  carrying  on  the  design.  A 
subscription  among  the  citizens  was  immediately  set  on 
foot,  and  the  sum  of  ;eS75  145.  obtained  the  first  year;* 
eggs  and  white  mulberry  trees  were  imported,  and  a  digest 
of  instructions  composed,  published  and  distributed.  Un- 
til the  white  mulberry  trees  were  fit  to  allow  of  their 
leaves  being  plucked,  the  worms  were  fed  upon  the  leaves 
from  the  native  trees,  and  were  found  to  agree  perfectly 
well  with  them,  and  to  yield  excellent  silk.  It  is  believed 
that  all  the  silk  produced  during  the  continuance  of  the 
Society,  was  from  food  furnished  by  native  trees.  A  spirit 
for  the  silk  culture  was  excited  among  the  citizens,  and 

*  The  loss  of  the  minutes  of  the  Society  prevents  our  knowing  the  amount 
subscribed  in  subsequent  years.  It  is  a  proof  of  the  anxiety  of  the  British 
Government,  in  respect  to  the  silk  culture  in  the  Colonies,  that,  in  the  year 
1769,  an  act  was  passed  for  the  ^further'  encouragement  of  the  growth  of  silk 
in  North  America,  granting  25/.  for  every  100/.  value  of  raw  silk  raised  for 
the  next  seven  years,  and  smaller  bounties  during  the  two  following  periods 
of  seren  years.  But  no  mention  is  made  of  this  act  by  Dr.  Franklin  in  his 
letter,  nor  does  it  appear  that  any  premium  was  claimed  by  the  Society  in 
consequence  of  it. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  151 

many  garments  arc  still  possessed  by  families  which  were 
made  from  silk  raised  by  their  forefathers.  The  war  of 
the  Revolution  put  an  end  to  the  patriotic  association, 
and  suspended,  in  a  great  measure,  the  silk  culture — there 
being  no  longer  a  sale  for  cocoons  ;  but  many  persons 
continued  their  attention  to  it,  and  others  resumed  it  after 
the  termination  of  thfe  war. 

The  knowledge  of  the  proper  mode  of  rearing  silk 
worms,  and  of  winding  the  silk,  was  greatly  promoted  by 
the  publication  of  a  paper  on  those  subjects,  in  the  2d 
volume  of  Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society  of  Philadelphia,  which  the  late  Doctor  John  Mor- 
gan procured  from  Italy,  through  a  silk  mercantile  house 
in  London.*  During  the  last  three  years,  a  spirit  has  been 
revived  and  diffused  on  the  subject,  and  promises  to  in- 
crease ;  and  there  can  be  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  a 
ready  sale  for  cocoons  is  alone  wanting,  to  establish  the 
silk  culture  as  a  regular  employment  in  several  States  of 
the  Union.  It  was  the  want  of  this  market  which  defeat- 
ed, in  a  great  degree,  the  patriotic  attempt  of  Mr.  Na- 
thaniel Aspinwall,  of  Connecticut,  about  the  year  1790,  to 
revive  the  silk  culture  in  Pennsylvania,  New-York,  and 
New  Jersey.  But  his  memory  deserves  to  be  held  in  ever- 
lasting and  grateful  remembrance,  for  the  thousands  of 
white  mulberry  trees  which  he  planted  in  those  States, 
and  for  the  commendable  zeal  he  exhibited  in  the  cause. 

In  Connecticut,  attention  to  the  culture  of  silk  com- 
menced about  the  year  1760,  by  the  introduction  of  the 
white  mulberry  tree,  and  eggs  of  the  silk  worms,  into  the 
county  of  Windham,  and  town  of  Mansfield,  from  Long 
Island,  New- York,  by  Mr.  N.  Aspinwall,  who  had  there 
planted  a  large  nursery.  He  also  planted  an  extensive 
nursery  of  the  trees  in  New  Haven,  and  was  active  in  ob- 

*  This  excellent  paiier  has  been  copied  in  all  the  British  and  Scotch  En- 
cyclopaedias, and  was  reprinted  in  a  pamphlet,  at  Windham,  Connecticut,  in 
the  year  1792. 


152  HISTORY    OF    SILK. 

tainmg  of  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut,  an  act  granting 
a  bounty  for  planting  trees ;  a  measure  in  which  he  was 
warmly  supported  by  the  patriotic  and  learned  Dr.  Ezra 
Styles.  The  premium  was  ten  shillings  for  every  hundred 
trees  which  should  be  planted  and  preserved  in  a  thrifty 
condition,  for  three  years ;  and  three  pence  per  ounce  for 
all  raw  silk,  which  the  owners  of  trees  should  produce 
from  cocoons  of  their  own  raising  within  the  State.  After 
the  public  encouragement  for  raising  trees  was  found  un- 
necessary, a  small  bounty  on  raw  silk,  manufactured  with- 
in the  State,  was  continued  some  time  longer.  A  statute 
continues  in  force,  requiring  sewing  silk  to  consist  of 
twenty  threads,  each  two  yards  long.* 

It  would  be  an  act  of  injustice  to  omit  noticing  the 
generous  encouragement  to  the  cultivation  of  silk  in  the 
American  Colonies,  which  was  given  by  the  patriotic  So- 
ciety in  London,  for  "  the  Promotion  of  Arts,"  &c.  From 
the  year  1755  to  1772,  several  hundred  pounds  sterling 
were  paid  to  various  persons  in  Georgia,  South  Carolina, 
and  Connecticut,  in  consequence  of  premiums  oflered  by 
the  Society,  for  planting  mulberry  trees,  and  for  cocoons 
and  raw  silk.-j- 

After  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  business  was  re- 
newed, and  gradually  extended;  and  it  is  recorded,  that, 
in  the  year  1789,  two  hundred  pounds  weight  of  raw  silk 
were  made  in  the  single  -town  of  Mansfield,  in  Windham, 
Connecticut. I  In  the  year  1810,  the  value  of  the  sewing 
silk  and  raw  silk,  made  in  the  three  counties  of  New  Lon- 
don, Windham,  and  Tolland,  was  estimated,  by  the  United 
States'  Marshal,  at  f  28,503  ;§  but  the  value  of  the  domes- 

*  Governor's  Wolcot's  answer  to  the  silk  circular. 

t  The  particulars  are  not  inserted  in  the  transactions  of  the  society,  but 
may  be  seen  in  Ba5'ley's  Advancement  of  the  Arts,  London,  1772,  and  in 
DosSie's  Memoirs  of  Agriculture,  vol.  3. 

%  Columbian  Magazine,  Philadelphia,  4,  p.  61. 

}>  Statement  of  the  arts  and  manufacttues  of  the  United  States  for  the  year 
1310.     By  Tench  Coxe. 


HISTORY    OF    SILK.  153 

tic  fabrics  made  from  the  refuse  silk,  and  worn  in  those 
counties,  was  not  taken  into  consideration.  They  may 
be  fairly  estimated  at  half  of  the  above  sum.  In  the 
year  1825,  enquiries  were  made  by  the  writer,  in  Windham 
county,  as  to  the  increased  attention  to  the  silk  culture 
there,  and  it  was  found  that  the  value  of  the  silk,  and  of 
the  domestic  fabrics  manufactured  in  that  county,  was 
double  that  of  the  year  1810.  It  was  also  found,  that 
sewing  silk  was  part  of  the  circulating  medium,  and  that 
it  was  readily  exchanged  at  the  stores  for  other  articles, 
upon  terms  which  were  satisfactory  to  both  parties, 
and  that  the  balance  of  the  account,  when  in  favour  of 
the  seller,  was  paid  in  silver.  The  only  machines  for 
making  the  sewing  silk,  are  the  common  domestic  small 
and  large  wheels,  but  practice  supplies  the  defects  of 
these  imperfect  implements  ;  with  better  machinery,  sew- 
ing silk  of  a  superior  quality  would  be  made.  At  present, 
"  three-fourths  of  the  families  in  Mansfield  are  engaged  in 
raising  silk,  and  make,  annually,  from  5  to  10,  20  and  50 
pounds  in  a  family,  and  one  or  two  have  made,  each,  100 
pounds  in  a  season.  It  is  believed  that  there  are  annually 
made  in  Mansfield,  and  the  vicinity,  from  three  to  four 
tons."* 

The  farmers  consider  the  amount  received  for  their  sew- 
ing silk  as  so  much  clear  gain,  as  the  business  does  not  in- 
terfere with  the  regular  farm  work  of  the  men,  or  the  do- 
mestic duties  of  the  females,  upon  whom,  with  the  aged 
and  Youthful  members  of  the  family,  the  care  of  the 
worms,  and  the  making  of  the  sewing  silk  chiefly  devolves. 
It  is  known,  also,  that,  in  the  other  New  England  States, 
Maine  excepted,  more  or  less  attention  to  the  silk  culture 
is  given. 

During  the  late  war  with  England,  Samuel  Chidsey,  of 
Cayuga  county,  New-York,  sold  sewing  silk  to  the  amount 

*  Z.  Sloirs,  Esq.  of  Mansfield  :  answer  to  the  silk  circular. 

Vol.  X.  20 


154  RAW    POTATOES    BAD    FOR    MILCH    COWS. 

of  f  600  a  year.  Mr.  C.  introduced  the  white  mulberry 
tree  in  the  town  of  Scipio,  on  its  first  settlement.*  Silk 
was,  also,  formerly  raised  by  the  French  inhabitants,  in 
the  country  now  the  State  of  Illinois,  but  to  what  extent 
is  not  known. f 

The  cultivation  of  silk  has  commenced  in  the  States  of 
Ohio  and  Kentucky,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  it  will  extend.  The  first  mentioned  State  contains  a 
great  number  of  citizens  who  formerly  resided  in  the  silk- 
growing  districts  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  and 
who  will  doubtless  see  their  interest  in  renewing  a  branch 
of  business,  from  which  they  formerly  derived  so  much 
profit.  In  the  latter  State,  it  is  chiefly  confined  to  those 
industrious  people,  the  United  Brethren,  whose  steady, 
persevering  labours  and  intelligence  are  the  surest  guaran- 
ties of  success. 


RAW  POTATOES  BAD  FOR  MILCH  COV^S. 

The  following  article  taken  from  a  foreign  Magazine, 
has  been  copied  lately  into  the  American  Farmer  and  the 
New  England  Farmer. 

"  Many  farmers  are  in  the  habit  of  giving  raw  potatoes 
to  all  kinds  of  stock  ;  but  they  are  of  a  watery  and  griping 
nature,  and  accidents  have  frequently  happened  from  their 
use  before  the  cattle  have  been  accustomed  to  them. 
For  milch  cows  they  are  very  bad,  purging  them,  and 
rendering  their  milk  too  thin  and  poor,  even  for  suck- 
ling. If  given  raw  to  latten  oxen,  good  hay  and  bean 
meal  should  be  allowed  to  counteract  the  watery  quality 
of  the  roots.     There  is,  however,  much  difference  in  the 

*  Mr.  David  Thomas  :  letter  in  answer  to  the  silk  circular. 
t  Governor  Coles  :  letter  in  answer  to  do. 


RAW  POTATOES  BAD  FOR  MILCH  COWS.        155 

nature  of  potatoes,  and  the  mealy  approach  nearest  to  the 
nature  of  corn,  the  yellow  afford  the  strongest  nutriment." 
— Scotch  Magazine. 

Nothing  can  be  of  greater  importance  to  every  farmer, 
than  a  correct  knowledge  of  the  comparative  merits  of 
the  different  varieties  of  food  for  his  cattle.  Of  course 
nothing  can  be  more  pernicious,  than  throwing  out  loose 
and  general  censures  of  any  particular  species  of  food, 
particularly  of  those  most  easily  raised,  and  therefore  the 
cheapest.  I  certainly  am  not  disposed  to  set  up  my  au- 
thority against  opinions  advanced  in  established  works. 
But  there  is  no  treason  in  stating  facts,  in  relating  care- 
ful and  long  continued  experiments.  For  nearly  twenty 
years,  I  have  been  in  the  practice  of  allowing  my  milch 
cows  from  November  till  they  go  lo  grass  about  three 
pecks  of  roots  a  day  with  good  English,  or  upland  hay 
to  their  full  content.  I  first  commence  with  the  beet, 
because  it  is  most  perishable  ;  carrots  then  follow,  and 
from  February  till  May,  they  have  raw  potatoes.  In  com- 
mencing with  the  potatoes,  they  will  be  for  a  few  days  re- 
laxed ;  so  they  will,  often,  to  as  great  a  degree,  with  In- 
dian meal ;  after  a  little  use,  they  return  to  their  natural 
state  of  body,  and  are  always  in  high  condition  when 
they  are  turned  out  to  grass  ;  perhaps  they  are  too  fat. 

Potatoes,  then,  cannot  be  a  watery  griping  food  ;  my 
milk  is  as  rich  as  the  milk  of  cows  not  thus  managed.  My 
cows  have  been  almost  always  raised  by  myself,  from  my 
own  stock,  and  I  usually  keep  them  till  they  are  aged. 
If  the  proposition  stated  in  the  extract  at  the  head  of 
these  remarks  had  been  true,  or  nearly  true,  or  had  any 
degree  of  soundness  in  it,  it  seems  to  me  impossible,  that 
I  should  never  have  remarked  the  ill  effects  stated. 

Some  farmers  may  consider  these  remarks  as  of  less 
weight,  as  coming  from  a  man  not  bred  a  farmer.  Some 
may  suppose  that  I  trust  the  eyes  of  others,  and  am  de- 
ceived.    To  these  possible  objections,  I  reply,  that  my 


156  ONE    OF    THE    DISEASES    OF    THE    PEACH    TREE. 

COWS  are  objects  of  special  regard,  as  furnishing  me  with 
one  of  the  most  valuable  luxuries  ;  that  I  attend  to  them 
personally  and  carefully,  and  I  can  see  no  good  reason 
why  an  attention  of  20  years  should  not  enable  me  to 
form  as  correct  an  opinion  as  a  thorough  bred  farmer.  1 
am  not,  however,  without  support  from  persons  of  that 
description.  An  intelligent  practical  farmer,  whose  dairy 
is  in  such  repute  that  he  obtains  from  31  to  37  cents  a 
pound  for  his  butter,  assured  me,  that  he  always  gave  his 
cows  in  winter  the  long  red  potatoe  in  a  raw  state,  and 
that  he  estimated  two  bushels  of  that  potatoe  for  his  cows 
as  equal  to  one  bushel  of  corn. 

JOHN  LOWELL. 


ONE  OF  THE  DISEASES  OF  THE  PEACH  TREE. 

A  DISEASE  has  this  year  reappeared  in  my  peach  trees, 
which  must  be  very  familiar  to  every  cultivator  of  that 
tree.  About  the  latter  end  of  May,  the  leaves,  or  many 
of  them,  are  covered  with  blotches  of  a  yellow  and  reddish 
colour. 

These  leaves  after  a  few  days  fall,  and  where  the  leaves 
of  any  tree  are  generally  so  affected,  the  fruit  ceases  to 
grow,  and  falls  also.  This  is  not  a  new  disease :  when  I 
was  a  youth,  more  than  40  years  since,  the  peach  trees 
were,  for  many  successive  years,  so  affected.  The  disease 
however  afterwards  disappeared  for  several  years.  When 
I  took  possession  of  the  estate  I  now  occupy,  about  22 
years  since,  all  my  peach  trees  became  affected  with  this 
complaint,  and  so  fatal  was  it,  that  from  1806  to  1820, 
I  never  had  a  tolerable  crop  of  this  delicious  fruit.  In 
all  the  former  visitations  of  this  disease,  it  was  generally 
attributed  to  cold  blasting  easterly  winds  and  storms ;  by 


ONE    OF    THE    DISEASES    OF    THE    PEACH    TREE.  157 

some  it  was  ascribed  to  a    diseased   state   of  the   fluids, 
men  always  preferring  to  trace  analogies  between  the  ani- 
mal  and  vegetable   kingdoms,  rather  than   to   seek   with 
care  the   more  natural  and  simple  causes.     After  the  dis- 
covery of  the  worm  at  the  root,  now  ascertained  by  Pro- 
fessor Say  to  be    the  larva  of  an  insect,  which   he  has 
called  "  asgeria  exitiosa"  or  the  destructive  asgeria,  I  sup- 
posed  that  this  might  be   the    cause.     On    its  reappear- 
ance this  year  on  my  trees,  I  was  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
detect  the  cause  of  the  disease.      As  an  approximation 
to  it,  I  first  attempted  to  settle  my  opinion   by  negative 
proofs.     I  sought  to  discover  what  could  not  be  the  caus- 
es of  the  disease.     I  soon  satisfied  myself,  that  it  could 
not  be  occasioned  by  blighting  cold  winds  or  storms.     My 
reasons  were,  that  these  occur  in  every  season,  yet  I  have 
not  seen  a  blotched  or  diseased  leaf  on  my  trees  for  seven 
years,    before    the    present    year.       The   effect  of   cold 
winds  and  storms,  would  equally  affect  every  tree  and 
every  leaf;  but  I  found  that   some   trees,   under  equally 
great  exposure,  as  delicate  and  even   more  so,  were  en- 
tirely free  from  disease  ;  and  on  all  the  trees,  many  leaves 
were  perfectly  healthy.     I  remarked  that  old  trees  which 
were  feeble  were  more  affected,  than  the  strong  and  vig- 
orous.    The  most  delicate  shoots  often   escaped  wholly  ; 
I  was  therefore  satisfied  that  it  could  not  be  owing  to  the 
season. 

I  examined  to  ascertain,  whether  the  worm  at  the  root 
could  be  the  cause.  I  found  no  worms  at  the  roots  of  any 
of  the  trees,  having  for  several  years  past  annually  de- 
stroyed them. 

Could  it  be  general  ill  health?  The  trees  were  in  all 
other  respects  in  the  most  healthy  condition.  The  same 
objections  applied  to  this  supposed  cause  as  to  the  first. 

I  then  resorted  to  the  most  natural  cause ;  the  most 
common,  the  cause,  whose  effects,  in  other  trees  most 
nearly  correspond  with  these  appearances,  the  bite  of  an 


158  ONE    OP    THE    DISEASES    OF    THE    PEACH    TREE. 

insect.  The  bites  of  insects  produce  an  almost  infiDite 
variety  of  appearances.  The  aphis  on  the  peach  tree 
curls  both  the  leaf  and  the  stalk  in  a  very  remarkable 
manner.  I  searched  the  diseased  leaves  but  could  per- 
ceive no  insect.  There  is  no  larva  within  the  diseased 
and  blotched  leaves.  Might  they  not  however,  seek  these 
leaves  for  their  own  food,  and  not  as  a  nidus,  or  nest  for 
their  young  ?  Certainly  they  might,  for  so  does  the 
aphis.  On  pursuing  my  investigation,  I  discovered  clearly 
and  unquestionably  the  cause.  The  insect  is  found,  some- 
times one,  two,  and  often  ten,  in  the  unexpanded  leaves 
when  they  are  about  one  inch  long.  The  leaf  is  then 
folded  back  so  as  to  conceal  and  protect  the  future  upper 
surface.  On  the  mid  rib  of  this  leaf,  and  there  only,  will 
be  found  a  small  insect  or  insects,  of  a  very  light  green 
colour,  without  wings,  with  6  feet  on  the  breast  or  tho- 
rax only,  the  abdomen  ribbed.  Being  no  entomologist, 
I  describe  only  what  I  clearly  saw.  It  is  an  exceedingly 
active  insect.  It  must  quit  the  leaf  when  it  expands,  as 
it  is  never  found  on  an  expanded  one.  It  probably  goes 
from  the  more  advanced  to  the  tender  leaves  as  the  aphis 
certainly  does.  I  could  see  nothing  to  lead  me  to  believe, 
that  there  are  constantly  increasing  generations  of  this 
insect  as  in  the  aphis,  and  in  the  scourge  of  our  vines. 
Unhappily  its  secure  situation  affords  us  no  remedy  by  ex- 
ternal application.  In  young  trees,  and  early  in  the  sea- 
son, the  careful  cultivator  might  do  something  by  remov- 
ing the  diseased  leaves,  before  they  expand,  and  thus 
check  the  future  progress  of  the  insect. 

J.  LOWELL. 
Roxbury,MaySl,lS2S. 

June  2d.  Postcript.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  beg 
leave  to  say,  that  I  have  since  found  the  insect  on  the 
fully  expanded  leaves  to  the  number  of  ten  or  more.  I 
think  it  may  be  worth  inquiry  whether  the  removal  of  the 


lorain's  husbandry.  159 

diseased  leaves  from  the  ground  may  not  be  of  use  in 
checking  the  insect  another  year.  The  last  fall,  I  remov- 
ed several  peach  trees  from  the  nursery,  and  planted  them 
out.  The  trees  in  the  nursery  are  filled  with  insects, 
tfiose  removed  to  other  ground,  not  affected.  This  would 
look  as  if  the  ground  was  the  winter  residence  of  these 
insects.  They  are  so  small  that  many  persons  might  over- 
look them,  without  the  aid  of  magnifying  glasses.  Yet 
they  are  so  numerous  and  so  active,  as  to  be  quite  com- 
petent to  the  work  of  destruction,  which  we  perceive. 


REVIEWS 

JSfature  and  Reason  Harmonized  in  the  Practice  of  Husband- 
ry. By  the  late  John  Lorain.  With  an  Jllphahetical 
Index.     Philadelphia:  H.  C.  Gary  and  Lea.     1825. 

Although  this  work  has  been  before  the  public  several 
years,  and  has  been  extensively  circulated,  and  extracts 
made  from  it  in  various  publications,  yet  no  regular  notice 
has  been  taken  of  it  in  any  periodical  publication.  The 
professed  literary  and  scientific  reviewers  probably  have 
thought,  that  agriculture  is  either  beneath  or  beyond  the 
sphere  of  their  publications.  This  is  not  extraordinary; 
for  until  within  a  few  years  there  have  been  no  readers 
among  the  agricultural  class.  They  have  themselves  done 
much  to  discourage  persons,  who  felt  disposed  to  enlighten 
them,  as  to  the  progress  of  their  art  in  other  countries,  and 
even  in  their  own.  Deane,  and  Bordley,  and  Taylor,  have 
had  few  readers  among  the  practical  farmers,  except  the 
educated  men  in  the  southern  states.  More  recently, 
farmers  have  been  willing  to  read,  and  some  of  them  even 
solicitous  to  obtain  the  Journals  of  the  Massachusetts 
AgrTcultural  Society.     But  still  the  progress  was  very  slow, 


160  Lorain's  husbandry. 

until  Mr.  Skinner  of  Baltimore,  with  a  boldness  and  energy 
which  entitles  him  to  tlie  public  gratitude,  undertook  to 
publish  a  weekly  paper,  devoted  to  agriculture  principally. 
His  merited  success  proved  that  agricultural  information 
was  in  truth  a  desideratum  ;  that  there  was  an  effective 
demand  for  it,  and  that  the  failure  of  the  more  formal  and 
formidable  works  on  agriculture  was  owing  to  other  causes 
than  the  want  of  interest  in  tho  subject.  The  expense  of 
the  books  (oftentimes,)  the  parade  of  learning,  the  too 
great  disposition  to  theorize,  the  unfortunate  introduction 
of  methods  of  culture,  which  were  tried  and  failed,  the  too 
credulous  character  of  the  writers  who  inserted  from  Euro- 
pean authorities  processes,  either  not  adapted  to  our  cli- 
mate or  not  suited  to  the  habits  of  our  farmers  ;  these 
causes,  combined  with  the  stubborn  resolution  not  to  be 
instructed  by  educated  men,  have  impeded  the  circulation 
of  the  few  treatises  which  have  been  published  in  our  coun- 
try. The  establishment  of  the  New  England  Farmer  under 
the  auspices  of  Mr.  Fessenden,  at  the  same  time  an  educat- 
ed man,  and  from  his  infancy  familiar  with  the  practice  of 
agriculture,  well  acquainted  with  the  sciences  connected 
with  that  art,  and  modest,  unassuming  and  candid,  has 
wrought  a  great  change  in  public  sentiment;  and  the  en- 
quiry for  and  sale  of  works  devoted  to  agriculture  and  hor- 
ticulture, afford  the  most  unequivocal  proofs  that  farmers 
no  longer  disdain  to  seek  the  light  and  information  which 
other  countries  and  other  states  of  our  own  can  throw 
upon  their  art. 

Of  the  works  which  have  appeared  in  our  country  of 
American  origin,  that  of  Mr.  Lorain  unquestionably  stands 
at  the  head.  It  is  not  only  more  original,  contains  more 
new  thoughts,  but  it  is  much  more  extensive,  and  embraces 
a  greater  variety  of  topics  than  any  other  American  work. 
We  could  wish  that  we  had  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of 
Mr.  Lorain's  history,  not  because  the  real  merit  of  his 
work  would  be  affected   by  it,  but  because  his  influence 


lobain's  husbandry.  161 

and  the  weight  of  his  opinions  with  the  public  would  be 
much  greater,  if  we  had  the  means  of  showing  what  his 
opportunities  of  information  were. 

We  can,  therefore,  only  state  what  we  gather  from  his 
work.     That  he  was  originally  a  slaveholder,  and  therefore 
conversant  with  the  modes  of  cultivation  in  the  states  in 
which  that  species  of  labour  is  employed  ;  that  from  Mary- 
land he  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and  cultivated  a  farm 
not  far  from  the  metropolis,  and  finally  removed  to  a  com- 
paratively new  farm  in  the  interior.     His  opportunities 
were  therefore  great,  and  it  will  appear  in  our  examin- 
ation that  he  did  not  fail  of  improving  them.     It  would 
seem  also,  that  he  was  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
European  methods  of  cultivation,  whether  from  visiting 
Europe  (as  we  presume  he  did)  or  not,  we  cannot  say. 
He  was  conversant  with  chemistry  and  its  application  to 
agriculture.     Such  were  his  means.     From  the  character 
of  his  work,  for  we  have  had  no  personal  knowledge  of 
him,  we  have  no  hesitation  to  say  that  he  was  a  man  of 
strong   and    powerful   sense,    capable  of  expressing  his 
thoughts  with  great  distinctness  and  force ;  his  style  pos- 
sesses an  energy  seldom  exhibited  on  such  subjects,  and  in 
no  degree  inferior  to  that  of  Col.  Taylor  of  Virginia,  and 
ofCobbet.     These  are  his  advantages.     His  disadvantages 
or  defects  are,  that  he  had  a  most  invincible  disposition  to 
theorize,  and  like  all  other  theorists  he  never  sees  any  thing 
but  in  the  precise  light  suited  to  his  theory.     He  is  de- 
lighted when  he  can  arraign  the  opinions  of  Sir  Humphrey 
Davy.    He  seems  to  consider  him  a  champion  worthy  of  his 
attack,  and  that  to  accomplish  a  victory  over  one  of  his  opin- 
ions, is  an  achievement,  which  justifies  his  desertion  of  the 
great  purposes  of  his  work.     Indeed,  the  very  title  page  of 
his  book  puts  forth  his  pretensions  to  the  rank  of  a  dis- 
coverer.    "  Nature  and  Reason  Harmonized,"  necessarily 
denotes,  that  all  other  preceding  writers  have  placed  them 
in  opposition  or  conflict. 
Vol.  X.  21 


162  lorain's  husbandry. 

There  is  another  fault  in  Mr.  Lorain's  work,  which  is 
less  pardonable  than  any  other.  There  is  an  acrimonious 
spirit,  a  disposiiion  to  injure  the  character  and  feelings  of 
other  distinguished  cultivators,  which  cannot  be  readily 
excused.  His  incessant  sneers  at  the  venerable  judge 
Peters,  are  proofs  of  an  ungovernable  temper  or  of  personal 
pique.  Those  wh6  read  this  work  without  any  knowledge 
of  the  character,  public  services,  experience  and  learning 
of  the  President  of  the  Pennsylvania  Agricultural  Society, 
would  form  very  unjust  and  improper  impressions  of  his 
character.  These  are  great  and  lamentable  defects. 
There  was  no  occasion  for  Mr.  Lorain  to  build  up  his  own 
reputation  at  the  expense  of  others,  and  his  want  of  can- 
dour necessarily  impairs  the  i>ublic  confidence  in  his  own 
statements,  for  when  a  man  is  under  the  operation  of  strong 
excitement,  you  can  never  feel  a  confidence  that  it  will  not 
influence  even  his  statement  of  facts. 

In  reviewing  briefly  (as  the  limits  of  our  present  number 
will  compel  us  to  do)  Mr.  Lorain's  work,  we  shall  not  take 
the  course  adopted  in  other  reviews,  where  the  principal 
object  of  the  reviewer  is  to  display  his  own  talents.  Our 
course  will  be  to  give  our  readers  some  insight  into  Mr. 
Lorain's  work.  We  shall  give  a  brief  synopsis  of  it,  sim- 
ply adding  without  much  reasoning  our  own  opinion  of  his 
theories,  whether  favourable  or  unfavourable.  To  attempt 
to  disprove  what  we  think  unsound,  or  to  support  what  we 
deem  correct,  by  argument  or  facts,  would  require  a  vol- 
ume at  least  as  large  as  his  own. 

His  first  book  is  on  the  most  important  of  all  agricultural 
subjects,  manures  and  vegetation.  His  first  chapter  is  on 
lime  in  its  caustic  state,  and  on  the  carbonate  of  lime, 
limestone,  marl,  and  powdered  limestone.  This  chapter 
introduces  his  own  peculiar  (so  far  as  we  know)  doctrine 
of  the  injurious  eflfects  of  caustic  lime.  The  whole  chap- 
ter is  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  that  proposition.  The 
basis  of  his  proposition  is,  that  lime  is  a  stimulating  ma- 


Lorain's  husbandry.  163 

niire,  promoting  vegetation,  but  in  doing  this  it  exhausts  the 
soil.  But  we  ask,  in  what  manner  ?  Simply  by  promoting 
the  decomposition  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  matter  in 
the  soil,  and  by  increasing  the  amount  of  the  crops.  But 
if  a  fair  proportion  of  the  produce  of  these  crops  is  return- 
ed to  the  soil  in  the  shape  of  the  dung  of  the  animals 
which  consume  the  crop,  this  effect  will  not  be  produced. 
The  great  object  of  the  writer  seems  to  be,  to  bring  into 
disrepute  the  practice  of  all  the  European  nations,  and  of 
some  of  the  most  eminent  agriculturists  in  our  own  coun- 
try of  using  lime  in  its  caustic  state.  The  British  farmers, 
who  have  limestone  at  easy  command,  incur  the  expense 
of  burning  it  before  they  apply  it  to  the  soil.  This  prac- 
tice Mr.  Lorain  would  seem  to  condemn  ;  he  prefers  the 
powdered  limestone  uncalcined.  His  reason  for  it  seems 
to  be,  that  this  resembles  more  nearly  the  operations  of 
nature,  which  distribute  the  alkaline  principle  more 
slowly.  He,  however,  cites  no  experiments  to  show,  that 
uncalcined  limestone  in  a  pulverized  state  does  in  fact 
produce  any  important  effects.  The  objection  in  our 
minds  to  this  theory  (for  it  is  only  such)  is,  that  the  quan- 
tity of  uncalcined  lime  must  be  much  greater,  its  trans- 
port to  the  farm  more  expensive,  and,  we  should  suppose, 
the  process  of  reducing  it  to  powder  would  be  more  trou- 
blesome. He  admits  that  the  action  of  caustic  lime  is 
more  rapid,  and,  as  we  should  infer,  more  useful  for  the 
immediate  purposes  of  the  farmer.  If  mixed  with  the  soil 
and  manure  it  decomposes  it  more  speedily  for  the  benefit 
of  the  present  crop,  and,  as  to  its  exhausting  character,  it 
can  only  arise  from  its  producing  greater  crops.  No  per- 
son ever  considered  lime  as  adding  materially  to  the  fer- 
tility of  the  soil  itself.  It  is  a  very  different  question, 
whether  the  application  of  lime  to  compost  heaps  is  bene- 
ficial or  hurtful.  This  topic  Mr.  Lorain  discusses  in  ano- 
ther place,  and  it  is  a  question  of  very  different  nature.  It 
may,  perhaps,  be  highly  inexpedient  to  hasten  the  decom- 


164  Lorain's  husbandry. 

position  of  manure  before  it  is  applied  to  the  crop,  and  yet 
be  very  useful  to  employ  the  same  power  for  the  advance- 
ment and  increased  production  of  an  existing  crop.  The 
English  farmers  often  apply  from  200  to  300  bushels  of 
calcined  lime  to  a  single  crop  of  wheat,  and  they  calculate 
upon  a  full  remuneration  from  that  crop.  The  effects  of 
that  lime  they  find  to  endure  for  seven  years.  That  is  to 
say,  they  find  its  effects  in  hastening  the  decomposition  of 
manure  to  last  for  that  period.  But  no  English  writer 
ever  dreamt  of  applying  no  animal  and  vegetable  manure 
in  the  intermediate  time.  They,  therefore,  experience  no 
exhaustion. 

Mr.  Lorain's  second  chapter  on  gypsum  is  principally 
devoted  to  the  overthrow  of  Sir  Humphrey  Davy's  solution 
of  the  manner  in  which  gypsum  operates.  Its  effects  are 
undoubtedly  astonishing,  and  it  is  not  extraordinary  that 
the  cause  of  these  effects  should  have  engaged  the  earnest 
attention  of  philosophical  minds.  To  the  farmer  it  is  in- 
d,eed  unimportant,  whether  the  effect  is  produced  by  one 
cause  or  another.  The  early  theory  was,  that  gypsum 
operated  solely  as  a  stimulant,  and  not  directly  as  food  to 
the  plant.  To  explain  the  mode  of  operation  on  this  prin- 
ciple, the  advocates  of  this  hypothesis  contended  that  gyp- 
sum hastened  the  putrefactive  process,  and  rapidly  decom- 
posed animal  and  vegetable  substances,  and  fitted  them 
to  be  the  aliment  of  plants.  The  fact  which  is  all  that  to 
this  hour  is  certainly  known,  was  too  well  proved  to  be 
doubted  by  any  theorist.  When  Sir  Humphrey  Davy 
brought  his  powerful  mind  and  extensive  knowledge  to  this 
question,  he  was  unable  to  account  for  the  effects  on  the 
received  theory.  He  contended  that  it  was  physically  by 
any  known  laws  impossible,  that  one  or  even  two  bushels 
of  gypsum  could  materially  hasten  the  decomposition  of 
animal  and  vegetable  substances  contained  in  an  acre  of 
land.  This  was  the  great  strong-hold  of  the  advocates  for 
the  stimulating  system.     He  began  by  the  truly  philosophi- 


Lorain's  husbandry.  165 

cal  method  of  ascertaining,  whether  gypsum  possessed  the 
assumed  power  of  acting  on  animal  substances  in  any  way. 
He  tried  the  effects  of  gypsum  on  two  pieces  of  veal ;  the 
one  was  covered  with  gypsum,  the  other  was  not  treated 
with  it.  He  actually  found  that  the  decomposition  was  as 
rapid  in  the  veal  not  submitted  to  the  action  of  gypsum  as 
in  that  which  was.  The  same  experiment  was  repeated 
on  pigeons'  dung,  with  the  same  result.  This  convinced 
him  that  the  existing  theory  was  unsound,  and  it  seems  to 
us  very  difficult  to  resist  the  evidence.  If  caustic  lime 
had  thus  been  applied,  we  all  know  that  the  result  would 
have  been  the  reverse.  Sir  Humphrey  then  turned  his  at- 
tention to  other  causes  of  the  operation  of  gypsum.  He 
found  that  gypsum  operated  only  on  certain  plants,  while 
it  was  wholly  inert  and  inefficient  on  others.  This  in- 
duced him  to  analyze  the  few  plants  on  which  gypsum 
produced  its  extraordinary  effects,  and  he  found  that  these 
particular  plants  yielded  an  unusual  quantity  of  gypsum. 
Hence  he  inferred  that  these  plants  required  a  supply  of 
this  compound  for  their  healthy  and  vigorous  production. 
He  was  too  much  of  a  practical  philosopher  to  go  further, 
and  to  show  how  these  particular  plants  took  up  the  gyp- 
sum. These  are  secrets  of  nature,  which  stop  the  enquiry 
of  truly  sensible  minds.  But  that  his  conclusion  was  more 
philosophical  and  rational,  we  think  can  scarcely  be  ques- 
tioned. Mr.  Lorain  has  made,  to  our  minds,  but  an  im- 
perfect attack  on  this  theory.  He  has  suggested  that 
though  the  gypsum  did  not  act  in  any  manner  on  the  sub- 
stances submitted  to  it,  yet  he  contends  that  it  moy  operate 
on  the  earth  and  manure,  where  it  is  combined  with 
moderate  moisture  and  with  substances  half  decomposed 
already.  We  admit  that  there  is  both  force  and  ingenuity 
in  this  suggestion.  It  is  true,  that  substances  in  a  diluted 
state  will  produce  effects  directly  opposite  to  the  effects 
of  the  same  substances  in  a  more  concentrated  form.  Sir 
Humphrey  Davy  says,  that  salt  in  very  small  quantities 


166  Lorain's  husbandry, 

hastens  decomposition  of  animal  substances,  while  in 
greater  masses  it  checks  it.  Our  complaint  against  Mr. 
Lorain  is,  first,  that  he  attacks  Judge  Peters  for  holding 
the  opinion,  that  plaster  in  stnall  quantities  accelerated 
decomposition,  while  in  larger  proportions  it  produced  not 
any  effect.  He  attacks  Sir  Humphrey  Davy  on  the  very 
ground,  which  he  pronounces  to  be  contradictory  and  ab- 
surd on  the  part  of  Judge  Peters.  That  is,  he  maintains 
that  though  Sir  Humphrey  Davy's  experiment  on  the  direct 
application  of  plaster  to  veal  failed,  yet  it  might  be  owing 
to  its  great  quantity ;  and  yet  he  denies  to  Judge  Peters 
the  benefit  of  his  own  principle.  We  have  been  thus  mi- 
nute on  this  subject,  because  we  think  it  shows  that  Mr. 
Lorain  is  not  in  all  cases  a  sure  guide ;  but  our  own  opin- 
ion is,  that  the  operation  of  plaster  and  indeed  of  all  ma- 
nures is,  as  yet,  very  imperfectly  understood  ;  that  the  sci- 
ence of  analysis  of  all  substances  is  a  very  distinct  one 
from  their  operation  on  animal  and  vegetable  life,  and  that 
though  investigations  of  this  sort  may  be  amusing  to  curi- 
ous minds,  yet  other  cooler  and  safer  intellects  will  forever 
recollect,  that  there  are  limits  to  human  knowledge  which 
it  is  not  very  useful  to  pass,  most  certainly  on  subjects  so 
practical  as  this.  Indeed,  we  are  unable  to  perceive  any 
direct  use  in  ascertaining,  whether  gypsum  operates  as  a 
stimulus  or  as  nutritive  food.  The  question  to  what  soils, 
or  to  what  plants  it  is  usefully  applied,  is  indeed  a  very  in- 
teresting question  ;  and  before  we  quit  it,  we  shall  repeat 
what  we  have  often  said,  that  it  is  a  great  mistake  to  sup- 
pose that  gypsum  is  not  a  powerful  agent  on  the  sea-coast : 
on  silicious  and  sandy  soils,  and  all  generally  light  soils, 
we  know  from  repeated  experiments  that  its  effects  on 
clover  and  lucerne  are  very  great  near  the  sea.  We  have 
now  a  crop  of  clover  on  pure  sand  well  plastered,  which  is 
equal  to  any  crop  on  the  most  fertile  soils.  Shall  we  be 
told  that  it  will  exhaust  it  ?  Exhaust  sand  ?  Exhaust  what 
Ijad  no  fertilizing  matter  in  it  ?   Be  it  so.    A  very  little 


Lorain's  husbandrv.  167 

manure  will  restore  it  to  a  state  in  which  the  plaster  will 
again  produce  its  extraordinary  effects. 

Mr.  Lorain's  chapter  III.  is,  in  the  main,  full  of  rational 
matter.  He  reasons  in  general  very  philosophically,  by 
which  we  mean  that  his  reasoning  is  founded  on  undoubt- 
ed/ac^5.  The  general  scope  of  it  is  to  show,  that  nature 
furnishes  the  means  of  fertility  by  its  own  unaided  pro- 
cesses ;  that  the  growth  and  decay  of  vegetable  life  tend 
to  enrich  the  soil.  His  remarks  upon  the  value  of  weeds 
is  very  sound.  We  should  carry  the  doctrine  further  than 
he  does.  Weeds  are  destructive  of  the  crops  which  are 
useful  to  man.  We  call  them  iveeds  very  properly,  be- 
cause they  are  rejected  instinctively  by  most  animals. 
Yet  their  use  to  man  is  very  great.  If  a  farmer  found  no 
plants  in  his  cultivated  grounds,  which  were  noxious  to 
the  plants  valuable  to  himself  for  his  own  food,  or  for  that 
of  the  profitable  domestic  animals,  he  would  never  put  a 
plough  into  the  earth,  or  even  use  a  hoe,  except  for  the 
purpose  of  putting  the  seed  into  the  earth.  Weeds  com- 
pel him  to  stir  the  ground.  By  this  necessary,  and  we  may 
add  compulsory  process,  he  reduces  the  earth  to  a  fine 
tilth,  easily  permeable  to  water  and  dew,  and  highly  fa- 
vourable to  the  extension  of  the  delicate  terminal  fibres  of 
the  roots  of  plants,  which,  from  their  delicacy  and  softness, 
are  best  calculated  to  receive  and  transmit  nutriment. 
Indeed,  the  harder  parts  of  the  roots  probably  exert  very 
little  influence  on  the  growth  of  plants  other  than  that  of 
sustaining  the  plant  in  its  erect  position.  The  rupture  of 
these  roots  by  the  plough  and  the  hoe,  compels  the  plant 
by  a  law  of  self-preservation  to  send  out  an  increased 
quantity  of  these  tender  shoots,  which  we  all  know  by  ex- 
perience to  be  highly  favourable  to  the  growth  of  plants. 
We  shall,  however,  reserve  for  another  occasion,  when 
we  shall  be  compelled  to  examine  some  unphilosophical 
notions  of  Mr.  Lorain  on  this  particular  topic,  our  further 
views  on  this  subject.     We  repeat  that  the  general  views 


168  loratn's  husbandry. 

presented  by  Mr.  Lorain  are  in  our  opinion  very  sound, 
though  not  new.  So  far  as  our  limited  reading  has  ex- 
tended, the  same  ideas  have  been  suggested  and  the  same 
reasoning  applied  by  almost  all  writers  on  this  subject. 
Mr.  Lorain  has  not  in  this  connexion  sufficiently  exalted 
the  use  of  weeds  as  a  manure.  The  quantity  of  weeds,  in 
comparison  to  the  crop  to  be  raised,  is  immense.  Although 
it  would  not  be  good  policy  to  suffer  the  weeds  to  grow  to 
a  size  which  would  render  them  the  most  valuable  possible 
addition  to  the  manure,  because  they  would  stifle  the  in- 
tended crop,  yet  it  is  believed  that  the  amount  of  vegeta- 
ble matter  turned  in  by  ploughing  and  hoeing  root  crops, 
is  much  greater  than  is  generally  supposed.  On  the  whole, 
we  may  safely  say  that  weeds  are  a  most  valuable  part  of 
the  economy  of  nature,  compelling  man  to  do  that  which 
is  of  essential  value  to  his  crops,  and  rewarding  him 
for  that  labour,  not  only  by  directly  stimulating  the  growth 
of  the  crop  by  mechanical  means,  but  by  adding  to  the  soil 
substances  rapidly  decomposable,  and  furnishing  new  food 
to  his  crops  without  essentially  impairing  the  strength  of 
his  artificial  manures.  The  effects  of  the  operation  of  the 
plough  and  hoe  are  so  obvious  to  every  careless  observer, 
that  no  man  can  and  happily  no  man  (but  the  sluggish) 
pretends  to  doubt  it. 

In  a  chapter  in  which  we  find  so  much  to  commend,  it 
is  not  a  desirable  office  to  be  obliged  to  find  fault.  Yet 
as  the  defects  we  perceive  are  connected  with  the  whole 
work,  as  they  serve  to  explain  some  of  the  singular  eccen- 
tricities of  other  and  more  material  parts  of  it,  we  feel 
obliged  to  take  notice  of  them.  We  are  surprised  to  find 
Mr.  Lorain  attributing  to  the  death  of  animalculoe,  by 
which  he  seems  to  mean  obscure  insects,  such  an  import- 
ant agency  in  adding  to  the  animal  matter  in  the  soil.  It 
may  be  so,  and  we  are  not  able  to  show  that  it  is  not  so, 
neither  was  Mr.  Lorain  able  to  demonstrate  that  it  ivas  so. 
That  beetles,  and  aphiscs,  and  caterpillars,  and  grasshop- 


Lorain's  husbandry.  169 

pers  die,  is  unquestionably  true,  but  that  the  whole  race  of 
insects  do  in  fact  materially  increase  the  fertility  of  the 
soil  is  not  susceptible  of  proof,  and  seems  to  our  minds  to 
be  a  more  curious  than  sound  proposition.  That  they 
have  their  use  in  the  economy  of  nature,  no  man  who  sees 
the  wonderful  harmony  of  the  universe  can  doubt.  They 
are  the  food  of  birds,  and  birds  add  not  a  little  to  the  mass 
of  animal  manure;  but  these  are  subjects  rather  beyond 
our  reach.  Insects  check  very  often  to  an  alarming  de- 
gree vegetable  growth,  and  often  destroy  vegetable  life, 
and  thus  contribute  to  the  increase  of  vegetable  manures  ; 
but  their  direct  agency  in  increasing  animal  manures  and 
thus  fertilizing  the  soil,  seems  to  us  a  very  questionable 
assumption. 

He  breaks  away  from  the  whole  subject  of  his  chapter, 
to  attack  Sir  Joseph  Banks's  doctrine,  "  that  the  mildew 
in  wheat  is  a  fungus."  He  doubts  the  fact.  But  the  fact 
is  susceptible  of  proof,  and  has  been  proved  to  be  true. 
Mr.  Lorain,  however,  is  not  alone  in  supposing  that  dis- 
ease previously  existed  in  the  plant,  rendering  it  more  fa- 
vourable to  the  growth  of  funguses.  This  question  is  one 
which  can  never  be  solved  to  the  satisfaction  of  every  man  ; 
but  there  are  some  means  of  approximation  to  the  truth. 
Young  trees  are  often  covered  with  mosses.  By  removing 
the  moss  by  alkaline  washes  the  tree  recovers  its  vigour, 
without  changing  the  treatment  of  the  root,  without  doing 
any  thing  to  the  soil.  It  will  make  more  vigorous  shoots, 
and  recover  its  former  strength.  If  you  could  make  a  simi- 
lar application  to  the  stalks  of  wheat  or  rye,  who  can  say 
that  their  health  would  not  be  restored  ?  The  grape  when 
young  (we  |^mean  the  fruit)  is  subject  to  mildew.  The 
Hon.  Richard  Sullivan  discovered  that  sulphur  would  re- 
jnove  it  (that  is.  Mil  it)  and  the  bunches  of  grapes  would 
continue  to  grow  as  well  as  if  they  had  never  been  attack- 
ed. This  is  fact,  not  theory.  The  life  of  the  fungus  was 
destroyed  ;  but  if  the  disease  had  been  in  the  vine  itself, 

Vol.  X.  22 


170  lorain's  husbandry. 

in  any  internal  cause,  such  an  effect  could  not  have  been 
produced.  The  gooseberry  is  subject  to  the  same  dis- 
ease, in  a  still  greater  degree.  This  year  we  applied  sul- 
phur to  the  diseased  gooseberries,  that  is,  to  the  berry  it- 
self, and  it  killed  the  fungus,  and  the  gooseberries  became 
as  healthy  as  before.  Tn  all  these  cases,  the  application 
should  be  made  in  an  early  stage  of  the  disease.  There 
are  several  other  suggestions  in  this  chapter  which  we 
deem  as  questionable  as  those  which  we  have  mentioned, 
but  the  limits  of  our  review  will  compel  us  to  pass  them 
over  at  present. 

We  shall  pass  over  chapters  IV.  V.  and  VI.  not  only  be- 
cause the  subjects  of  them  are  of  very  little  practical  im- 
portance, but  because  to  defend  the  received  theories 
against  the  fanciful  attacks  of  Mr.  Lorain  would  require  a 
pamphlet  as  large  as  a  number  of  this  journal.  The  sub- 
jects are  the  causes  of  the  perpendicular  growth  of  plants  ; 
of  the  ascent  of  sap ;  an  analogy  between  animals  and 
vegetables  ;  the  denial  of  the  sleep  of  plants. 

On  every  one  of  these  topics,  he  is  opposed  to  Sir  Hum- 
phrey Davy,  Knight,  Linnosus,  and  Dr.  Hales.  He  treats 
them  as  a  set  of  blockheads  for  not  seeing  what  was  clear 
to  him,  that  all  the  phenomena  of  vegetation  are  to  be 
ascribed  to  the  "  living  principle."  He  seems  to  con- 
sider plants  as  sentient  and  almost  as  voluntary  agents. 
He  denies  that  physical  causes  are  the  principal  moving 
principles  in  vegetable  life,  and  tries  to  explain  the  facts 
on  which  the  theory  heretofore  received  is  founded,  but  to 
our  judgment  without  the  least  success.  Against  Linnaeus' 
doctrine  of  the  sleep  of  plants,  he  opposes  the  fact  that  he 
took  a  light  and  went  into  his  garden  and  found  all  the 
leaves  of  his  plants  in  the  same  state  as  in  day  light.  He 
admits  clover  to  be  an  exception.  Did  he  ever  look  at 
lucerne,  or  the  locust,  or  the  three-thorned  acacia,  all  of 
which  surrounded  him  ?  We  could  give  him  a  list  of  several 
hundred  plants  which  shut  up  at  evening.     A  very  large 


Lorain's  husbandry.  171 

proportion  of  flowers  exhibit  the  same  appearances  at 
night ;  but  these  subjects  are  out  of  place  in  our  present 
review,  whose  object  is  to  present  Mr.  Lorain's  views  and 
practice  on  the  art  of  agriculture. 

Mr.  Lorain's  Vllth  chapter  is  a  very  interesting  one. 
His  main  design  is  to  show  that  no  mixture  of  simple 
earths,  in  any  proportions,  can  make  a  soil  capable  of  sus- 
taining a  luxuriant  vegetation  without  the  mixture  of  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  substances.  "  Even  the  wonder-work- 
ing powers  of  gypsum  or  plaster  have  been  found  insuffi- 
cient to  operate  on  the  inert  substratum  of  a  thin  soil 
which  has  been  turned  uppermost  by  trench-ploughing, 
unless  animal  and  vegetable  matter  be  applied."  This 
important  position  is  indisputably  true.  Yet  a  very  small 
amount  of  animal  and  vegetable  matter  is  necessary  to 
render  both  clay,  pure  clay,  and  pure  sand  very  productive. 
Neglected  brick  yards,  where  the  clay  is  pure  enough  to 
make  excellent  bricks,  by  ploughing  and  manuring  for  two 
years  only,  taking  off"  crops  of  potatoes  each  year,  have 
without  sand  produced  luxuriant  crops  of  clover;  and  if 
one  hundred  loads  of  sand  had  been  carried  on  to  an  acre 
of  such  lands,  they  would  be  fertile  for  several  years.  The 
writer  of  this  review  has  a  piece  of  ground  from  which  all 
the  humus,  or  vegetable  and  animal  matter,  was  removed 
for  certain  purposes,  and  left  a  body  of  pure  sand,  so  pure 
as  to  be  fitted  for  plastering  mortar.  It  was  dunged  for 
potatoes  for  five  years.  The  crops  were  small,  yet  they 
must  have  exhausted  part  of  the  manure  carried  on.  The 
sixth  year  it  was  laid  down  with  clover  and  herds'  grass 
without  manure,  and  it  has  given  by  the  aid  of  plaster  two 
great  and  luxuriant  crops,  and  there  is  every  appearance  of 
its  enduring  another  season,  as  the  present  crop  far  ex- 
ceeds the  first.  Yet  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Lorain  is  true 
in  general,  and  is  admitted  to  be  so  by  all.  Mr.  Lorain 
then  proceeds  to  examine  the  British  practice  of  paring 
and  burning  the  soil  as  a  means  of  improving  it.     He  con- 


172  lorain's  husbandry. 

demns  it  without  qualification,  and  we  must  confess  that 
he  does  it  with  great  force  of  reasoning,  though  we  should 
have  been  better  pleased  if  he  had  treated  Sir  Humphrey 
Davy  with  more  decorum,  and  if  he  had  tried  it  himself 
even  on  a  small  scale,  and  shown  us  the  results  not  only 
of  the  first  crop,  but  of  several  successive  crops.  He  at- 
tributes the  apparent  beneficial  effects  of  this  extraordinary 
process  of  British  husbandry,  not  to  the  efficacy  of  the 
ashes  so  much  as  to  the  luxuriant  crops  of  grasses  which 
followed  it.  His  general  doctrine  is,  that  grasses  enrich 
the  land  partly  by  the  shade  which  they  afford  while  grow- 
ing, but  chiefly  by  the  immense  mass  of  vegetable  matter 
contained  in  their  roots.  The  judicious  and  skilful  man- 
agement of  these  roots  in  cultivation,  seems  to  be  the  very 
first  and  principal  discovery,  as  he  considers  it  in  the  pro- 
cess of  agriculture.  To  that  more  than  to  any  other  single 
thing,  he  attributes  the  superiority  of  his  own  system ;  not 
that  he  neglects  or  despises  manure  ;  no  man  thinks  higher 
pf  it;  but  the  waste  of  the  vegetable  matter  in  the  com- 
mon modes  of  culture,  he  deems  of  more  vital  importance 
than  any  manures  a  common  farm  can  supply. 

To  give  a  view  of  Mr.  Lorain's  theory  on  this  subject, 
we  quote  the  following  passages  at  large,  which  give  at 
the  same  time  a  favourable  specimen  of  his  style. 

"  We  may  readily  make  a  tolerably  correct  estimate  of 
the  aniount  of  vegetation  above  the  soil,  for  it  is  seen.  If 
the  earth  be  carefully  removed  from  a  soil  of  grass  cut 
ouL  sufficiently  deep,  the  number,  size,  and  texture  of  the 
roots  seem  to  justify  the  opinion,  that  they  will  weigh  as 
much  as  the  full  grown  tops  proceeding  from  them,  and  it 
would  seem  that  the  same  may  be  expected  from  the  roots  of 
the  plants  generally  called  weeds.  On  a  lay,  well  stored 
either  with  grass  or  weeds,  any  fallow  crop  that  the  soil 
is  capable  of  producing,  may  be  very  advantageously 
grown,  and  followed  by  wheat  or  any  other  small  grain. 
After  these  crops  have  been  removed,  a  considerable  pro- 
portion of  the  animal  and  vegetable  matter  that  was  at 


i 


Lorain's  husbandry.  173 

first  contained  in  the  lay,  will  remain  for  the  use  of  the 
grasses;  which  ought  always  to  follow  the  second  culti- 
vated crop,  when  the  soil  is  rather  thin,  and  enriching 
manure  cannot  be  applied  for  the  first  crop. 

If  a  proper  system  of  cultivation  be  pursued,  all  the 
animal  and  vegetable  matter  that  it  seems  possible  to  re- 
claim from  the  multiplied  avenues  of  useless  waste,  will 
be  saved ;  and  if,  as  in  the  case  now  under  consideration, 
the  soil  happens  to  be  a  retentive  clay,  a  much  dryer,  and 
vastly  more  open  and  freer  soil  is  obtained  for  the  roots  of 
the  plants,  than  can  be  furnished  by  paring  and  burning. 
When  the  grass  or  weed  lay  is  turned,  each  furrow-slice 
forma  an  under  drain  ;  especially  when  the  crop  of  grass 
or  weeds  which  has  been  ploughed  under  is  luxuriant. 

The  innumerable  roots  that  fill  the  soil  in  every  di- 
rection, minutely  divide  it.  The  fermentation  and  decom- 
position of  them  and  of  their  tops  expand  and  open  it. 
This  with  the  cavities  or  holes  formed  by  the  gradual  de- 
cay of  the  roots,  prepare  an  open,  free,  artificial  bed,  well 
stored  with  nutriment,  and  properly  calculated  to  admit 
the  roots  of  the  plants  readily  to  pass  through  it,  in  every 
direction,  in  search  of  the  food  provided  for  them. 

The  fermentation  that  takes  place  in  the  soil  is  never 
interrupted,  or  the  nutritious  matter  arising  from  it  ex- 
posed to  useless  waste,  as  is  done  by  the  usual,  but  very 
erroneous  practice  of  turning  up  the  sods  when  the  crop 
is  cultivated.  Of  consequence  nothing  is  lost  that  could 
be  saved.  It  is  also  certain  that  there  is  nothing  but  fire, 
or  some  cause  which  acts  with  equal  effect,  th-at  can  de- 
stroy weeds  or  any  other  vegetation  injurious  to  crops, 
more  effectually  than  fermentation  when  it  is  properly  di- 
rected. 

If  the  lay  be  well  turned  and  tiie  crop  cultivated  by 
the  hoe  harrow,  (called  by  some  a  scuffler)  with  the  tined 
harrow  following  it,  the  weeds  and  grasses  are  cut  off"  by 
the  first  implement  a  little  within  the  surface  of  the  soiL 


174  Lorain's  husbandry. 

The  vegetation  separated  by  it  from  that  lying  still  lower 
within  the  ground,  is  overturned  and  effectually  mangled 
by  the  tined  harrow.  The  weeds  and  grasses  within  the 
soil  being  severely  wounded  by  the  hoe  harrow,  and  close- 
ly covered  by  the  earth  above,  the  fermentation  of  them 
is  powerfully  promoted  every  time  the  fallow  crop  is  cul- 
tivated. 

Still  some  hardy  plants,  and  also  others  which  are  less 
hardy,  but  more  favourably  situated,  will  escape.  It  should, 
however,  be  recollected,  that  even  the  savage  and  de- 
structive practice  of  paring  and  burning  does  not  entirely 
extirpate  either  :  also,  that  fermentation  keeps  the  soil 
open  and  mellow,  so  long  as  a  sufficiency  of  animal  and 
vegetable  matter  remains  in  it.  As  the  small  grain  is  put 
in  by  the  hoe  harrow  with  the  tined  harrow  following  it, 
the  sod  is  not  disturbed  either  before  or  after  the  seed  for 
this  is  sown.  Consequently,  the  seed  of  weeds,  which  lay 
buried  beyond  the  power  of  vegetation  is  not  turned  up, 
to  poison  the  crop  or  the  grasses  following  it. 

Neither  are  the  rich  matters  within  the  soil  exposed 
to  useless  waste.  I  have  been  compelled  prematurely  to 
introduce  this  very  concise  description  of  some  of  the  sub- 
stantial advantages  obtained  by  a  proper  cultivation,  that 
the  reader  may  contrast  them  with  the  fleeting  resources, 
and  ruinous  consequences,  arising  from  burning  the  soil." 
—pp.  84,  85. 

The  latter  part  of  this  chapter  is  employed  in  decrying 
the  importance  of  carbonic  matter,  either  a3riform  or  in 
substance,  as  one  of  the  sources  of  fertility.  He  does  not 
seem  to  deny  its  power  entirely,  but  he  attacks  the  fashion- 
able opinions  on  that  subject  with  ridicule  and  with  acri- 
mony, and  he  concludes  with  the  following  expressions  of 
self-gratulation.  Indeed,  if  no  other  man  should  happen 
to  be  pleased,  Mr.  Lorain  had  the  enviable  pleasure  of 
giving  entire  satisfaction  to  himself. 

"  Now,  if  in  all  material  points  the  contents  of  this 


Lorain's  husbandry.  '    175 

and  the  foregoing  chapters  be  (as  I  believe  they  are)  cor- 
rect, it  would  appear,  that  although  much  has  been  writ- 
ten on  the  economy  of  plants,  and  the  nature  and  pro- 
perties of  manures,  but  little  is  well  known  of  either  ;  and 
that  if  these  subjects  be  ever  '  scientifically  explained,' 
philosophers  must  retrace  their  steps,  and  depend  much 
less  on  theory,  and  far  more  on  practice,  united  with  elab- 
orate observation. 

If  this  had  been  done,  charcoal  and  the  gases  would 
not  have  been  rung,  until  nature  was  silenced,  and  rea- 
son deafened  with  the  sound.  Neither  should  we  have 
been  told,  that  the  'heart-wood  of  a  tree  is  dead,  and  is 
only  useful  to  elevate  and  sustain  aloft  the  swarm  of  bien- 
nial plants  which  cover  it.'  Nor  that  '  gravitation  dis- 
poses the  parts  of  plants  to  take  a  uniform  direction.' 
Nor  that  they  'owe  their  perpendicular  direction  to  grav- 
ity.' Nor  that  the  sap  is  raised  by  the  agency  of  heat 
and  capillary  attraction,  or  by  '  the  expansion  and  con- 
traction of  the  silver  grain  of  the  wood.'  Neither  should 
we  have  been  told,  that  '  nothing  above  common  matter 
exists  in  the  vegetable  economy.'  Nor  that  '  all  the 
simple  leaves  of  plants  had  an  arrangement  at  night  toial- 
ly  different  from  their  arrangement  in  the  day ;  and  that 
the  greater  number  of  them  are  seen  at  night  closed  or 
folded  together.'  Nor  that  gypsum,  the  alkalies,  and  va- 
rious saline  substances,  are  a  part  of  the  true  food  of 
plants.  Nor  that  the  carbonate  of  lime  acts  merely  by 
forming  an  useful  earthy  ingredient  in  the  soil. 

The  celebrity  of  a  philosopher  whose  talents  are 
highly  esteemed,  may  for  a  time  stamp  an  ideal  value  even 
on  his  errors.  Still,  those  errors  would  be  eventually  de- 
tected and  exposed,  if  the  gentlemen  who  followed  him 
in  writing  on  the  same  subject,  would  examine  facts  for 
themselves,  as  they  stand  recorded  in  the  great  book  of 
nature  '  by  the  pencil  of  truth,'  in  place  of  sitting  at 
ease  in  their  libraries,  surrounded  by  a  huge  collection  of* 


1^6  lorain's  husbandry. 

books,  and  forming  theories  of  what  is  said  of  liature  in 
them."*— p;  98. 

Mr.  Lorain's  Vlllth  chapter  is  on  the  important  subject 
of  preparing  manures  for  their  application  to  the  soil.  It 
is  true,  that  no  branch  of  agriculture  has  experienced  a 
greater  change  than  this,  and  we  may  safely  add  that  on 
none  has  science,  chemical  science,  done  so  much  to  effect 
a  change.  This  change  seems  to  have  been  wrought  si- 
multaneously, nearly  at  the  same  moment  in  Europe  and 
America.  It  is  difficult  to  decide,  whether  Mr.  Lorain 
knew  of  the  change  of  opinion  in  England,  or  whether  his 
own  mind  brought  him  to  the  point  which  he  now  maintains. 
This,  however,  is  certain — uncontrovertible — that  we  ofJVew 
England  had,  most  of  us,  arrived  at  the  same  results  before 
we  knew  that  Mr.  Lorain  existed.  His  name  was  unknown 
to  us  all  five  years  since,  and  his  work  did  not  reach  us 
till  within  two  years.  Some  general  notions  of  chemistry 
had  induced  many  of  us  to  believe,  that  the  thoroughly 
rotted  compost  heaps  were  not  only  an  useless  labour,  but 
a  great  waste  of  what  modern  writers  considered  the  food 
of  plants.  We  use  a  cant  phrase,  which  covers  human  ig- 
norance, because  it  is  in  common  use.  Men,  the  most 
learned  men,  know  nothing  of  the  food  of  plants.  All 
which  they  know  is,  the  effects  of  certain  applications  to 
the  soil  in  promoting  fertility.  Theory,  however,  or  rather 
the  science  of  chemistry  led  common  readers  to  believe 
what  careful  experiments  proved,  that  in  the  process  of 
fermentation  gaseous  matters  escaped  from  decomposing 
materials,  which  were  more  essential  to  plants  than  perfect 
humus  or  soil  composed  of  the  products  of  decayed  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  substances.  Rich,  most  rich  such  a 
soil,  produced  by  compost  heaps  undoubtedly  is,  better 
than  any  other,  because  stronger.     It  was  not  unnatural, 

*  '  It  is  evident,  iiowever,  that  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  what  is 
said  of  natuie  in  those  books  is  highly  important,  when  it  is  made  subser- 
vient to  practical  observation.' 


Lorain's  husbandry.  177 

therefore,  that  cultivators  should  have  adopted  the  opinion 
that  entirely  decomposed  animal  and  vegetable  matters 
were  the  best  possible  application  to  the  earth  for  crops. 
There  was  another  cause  which  favoured  this  universally 
prevalent  opinion.  Unfermented  vegetable  matter  carried 
into  the  ground  immense  quantities  of  the  seeds  of  weeds, 
and  for  grain  crops  it  is  to  this  hour  very  questionable, 
whether  perfectly  rotten  manure  is  not  preferable  to  unde- 
composed  materials  for  such  crops.  As  to  root  crops,  and 
all  crops,  which  are  treated  with  the  plough  and  its  aux- 
iliaries, there  can  be  no  question.  It  is  rather  singular 
that  one  experiment  for  centuries  before  the  eyes  of  horti- 
culturists should  not  have  brought  them  at  once  to  thef 
conviction  of  the  superior  efficacy  of  unfermented  manure. 
We  do  not  know  that  the  suggestion  has  not  been  often 
made,  but  we  have  never  seen  it,  and  therefore  we  state  it, 
the  surprising  effect  of  hot  beds.  They  are  made  of  the 
*most  strawy  and  least  decomposed  dung  in  preference. 
Their  effects  on  vegetation  are  well  known,  producing 
early,  rapid,  vigorous  growth,  and  premature  but  delicious 
fruits.  These  effects  were  attributed  to  bottom  heat  (a  cant 
expression  of  the  gardeners)  and  partly  to  the  protection 
of  the  glass.  JYoiv,  however,  the  superior  fertility,  rapid 
growth,  and  vigorous  health  of  hot-bed  plants  is  justly  as- 
cribed to  the  gaseous  matters  which  feed  both  their  roots 
and  leaves.  The  common  gardeners,  no  doubt,  contribut- 
ed very  much  to  the  commonly  received  opinion  that 
thoroughly  decomposed  earth  was  most  favourable  to  the 
growth  of  all  their  exotic  plants,  and  from  the  gardener 
the  opinion  spread  among  the  farmers.  But  Mr.  Knight, 
whose  active  and  intelligent  mind  has  been  devoted  to  the 
practical  part  of  gardening,  has  proved  that  it  is  as  true  in 
relation  to  green-house  plants  as  to  crops  at  large,  that 
unfermented  vegetable  matter  is  superior  to  any  com- 
post, however  rich.  By  common  sods,  in  their  undecom- 
posed  state  put  into  his  pots,  he  has  given  a  young  vine 
Vol.  X.  23 


178  Lorain's  husbandry. 

the  growth,  the  astonishing  growth  of  forty-eight  feet  in 
one  season.  So  that  what  a  thousand  years  experience 
had  taught  us  to  believe  to  be  true  in  the  case  of  hot  beds, 
has  been  proved  to  be  so  in  relation  to  plants  raised  in 
pots  with  unfermented  matter,  having  no  bottom  heat,  and 
deriving  no  nutriment  except  from  the  slow  decomposition 
of  vegetable  matter. 

Mr.  Lorain,  ever  ready  to  find  fault  with  every  body  but 
himself,  says,  that  "  the  fruitless  attempts  to  make  farm  yard 
manure  a  more  proper  food  for  plants,  has  been  a  perpetual 
source  of  extensive  waste  and  much  injurious  and  expen- 
sive labour."  This  is  true.  He  proceeds  to  condemn  all 
compost  heaps,  and  he  adds,  that  it  is  of  no  service  to  add 
good  soil  to  the  dung  yard  ;  that  nothing  is  gained  by  it ; 
that  we  had  better  apply  the  dung  by  itself,  and  the  soil 
by  itself  Now  this,  in  our  sober  judgment,  is  carrying 
opinions  generally  sound  to  absurd  extremes.  Because  we 
ajl  now  admit,  that  dung  should  not  be  piled  up  in  heaps 
till  it  is  reduced  to  soil,  does  it  follow  as  a  reasonable 
conclusion,  that  the  earth  from  ditches,  from  road  sides, 
from  head  lands,  should  not  be  brought  into  the  farm 
yard  or  pig-sty  to  be  itself  enriched  by  the  urine  of  ani- 
mals there  fed  ^  Is  it  not  an  entirely  distinct  process  ^ 
No  fermentation  takes  place..  The  litter  and  straw  cannot 
take  up  all  the  fluid  matters  of  the  barn  yard,  the  greater 
part  will  filter  through  litter.  Is  it  of  no  value  to  collect 
earths,  of  themselves  composed  of  vegetable  matter  de- 
composed, and  enrich  them  by  what  would  be  otherwise 
wasted  .f*  Mr.  Lorain,  it  is  true,  in  other  parts  of  his  work, 
haltingly  admits,  that  it  may  be  of  some  use  to  add  to 
the  natural  constituent  parts  of  the  farm  yard,  foreign 
materials,  but  he  doubts  whether  it  would  quit  the  cost. 
We  know  of  no  heresy  greater.  We  know,  that  two  pigs 
may  be  made  to  manure  well,  and  richly,  an  half  acre  of 
ground,  by  furnishing  them  with  proper  soil  for  them  to  en- 
rich, three  fourths  of  whose  liquid  manure,  would  be  wast- 


Lorain's  husbandry.  179 

ed,  without  such  care.  Recollect,  that  we  are  agreed  about 
the  inexpediency  of  compost  heaps,  as  usually  recom- 
mended. But  we  are  not  prepared  to  abandon  all  com- 
post heaps  whatever,  nor  all  applications  of  lime  to  them. 
It  is  not  the  authority  of  any  one  man,  however  able, 
which  can  overturn  the  practical,  equally  practical  expe- 
rience of  millions.  Compost  heaps,  and  the  application 
of  lime  to  them,  are  highly  useful  for  pond  mud.  When 
taken  from  the  pond,  it  is  composed  of  rotten  vegetable 
and  animal  matter,  dead  fishes,  frogs  and  other  animals, 
and  of  the  washings  of  all  higher  grounds.  By  the  long 
action  of  water  it  is  finely  divided,  but  to  use  a  common 
expression,  cold.  The  fact  is,  that  applied  directly  to 
crops  in  any  way,  it  is  apparently  inert.  Treat  it  with 
lime,  it  is  an  admirable  manure  on  dry  soils.  This  is  the 
result  of  twenty  years'  personal  experience.  Its  value  is 
full  equal  to  the  same  bulk  of  the  best  horse  or  cow  dung 
unfermented.  Where  lime  is  applied  to  unfermented  ve- 
getable matter,  we  are  inclined  to  believe- that  its  effects 
may  be  injurious  ;  yet  there  are  cases  in  which  it  may  be 
highly  beneficial.  We  had  a  body  of  sods  fresh  dug, 
which  we  wished  to  use  as  a  manure  for  a  crop,  to  be  put 
in  immediately.  We  treated  the  sods  with  lime,  in  a  quan- 
tity, and  for  the  purpose  of  killing  the  plants,  but  without 
entirely  decomposing  them.  We  have  no  doubt  that  this 
compost,  made  in  fourteen  days,  will  be  better  than  the 
sods  applied  alone,  and  the  lime  added  separately. 

Mr.  Lorain's  ninth  chapter,  on  manures  not  in  general  use, 
is  so  excellent  in  general  that  we  shall  insert  it  entire, 
adding  a  few  practical  notes. 

"  As  some  manures  which  are  not  in  general  use  will 
be  found  very  profitable,  where  they  can  be  readily  pro- 
cured on  moderate  terms,  I  will  point  them  out,  and  make 
some  observations  on  them. 

There  is  no  part  of  an  animal  which  does  not  furnish 
valuable  manure.  The  parts  that  quickly  decay  are  not 
so  lasting,  but  more  powerful. 


180  Lorain's  iiusbanduy. 

Bones,  when  reduced  under  a  stone,  similar  to  those 
used  for  grinding  tanners'  bark,  are,  when  broken  into 
pieces,  not  exceeding  a  small  chestnut  in  size,  an  excel- 
lent and  very  lasting  manure.  Fifty  or  sixty  bushels  are 
applied  to  the  acre.  Much  less  would  suffice  if  they  were 
broken  before  the  grease  is  boiled  out  of  them  for  other 
purposes.  Or  if  they  were  much  finer  ground,  a  great 
deal  less  would  produce  the  same  immediate  effect. 

Horn  shavings  and  turnings  are  still  more  powerful 
than  bones  which  have  been  stripped  of  decomposable 
lanimal  matter.  Twenty  bushels  per  acre  of  them,  are 
commonly  applied. 

Sheep  trotters  are  said  to  be  very  valuable,  and  applied 
at  the  rate  of  forty  bushels  per  acre. 

Damaged  wool,  and  the  offal  trimming  from  sheep,  are 
also  used  for  manure,  from  ten  to  twenty  hundred  weight 
to  the  acre,  in  proportion  as  the  quality  may  be  more  or 
less  valuable. 

Woollen  rags,  cut  into  small  pieces  in  a  paper  mill, 
have  been  very  successfully  used  at  the  rate  of  from  fif- 
teen to  twenty  hundred  weight  to  the  acre. 

Fish  are  sometimes  caught  in  large  quantities  for  ma- 
nure. Twenty  bushels  to  the  acre  have  been  used  very 
successfully.  Salted  fish,  after  being  damaged,  have  been 
also  very  profitably  employed  for  this  purpose.  So  has 
the  brine  from  sound  fish. 

Feathers  are  a  valuable  manure ;  when  damaged  in 
quantities,  they  may  be  profitably  applied  to  this  purpose. 
The  farmer  should  have  the  feathers  that  are  not  used  for 
more  profitable  purposes,  put  into  his  receptacle.  Also, 
the  hair  scalded  from  his  hogs,  &-c.  This,  or  hair  taken 
from  skins  by  tanners  is  valuable.  The  blood  from  ani- 
mals that  are  killed  on  the  farm,  should  also  be  put  into 
the  receptacle,  for  it  is  a  very  rich  manure. 

Furriers'  clippings  and  curriers'  shavings  are  valuable 
manure  ;  thirty  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  oflTals  from  the 
tan-yard  and  glue  maker  are  also  very  valuable. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  181 

It  seems  probable  that  the  clippings  and  chippings 
from  shoe  makers,  saddlers,  and  others  working  in  tanned 
leather  would  be  valuable  manure ;  but  might  require 
some  decomposition  previously  to  being  ploughed  under 
the  soil. 

The  scum  from  the  boilers  of  sugar  bakers,  consists  of 
bullock's  blood,  and  saccharine  matter,  consequently  is  a 
very  rich  manure. 

Fresh  oyster  or  clam  shells,  when  broken  into  pieces 
are  a  very  valuable  manure  ;  they  would,  however,  be 
much  more  useful  and  powerful,  if  they  were  finely  pow- 
dered. 

Where  any  kind  of  shell  fish  is  plenty,  and  may  be 
readily  procured,  they  will  be  found  very  valuable  manure, 
if  broken  into  pieces  previous  to  their  being  ploughed 
under  the  soil. 

It  is  said  that  the  corals,  coralines  and  sponges,  con- 
tain equal  parts  of  decomposable  animal  matter  and  lime ; 
therefore,  where  they  can  be  readily  obtained,  they  may 
be  advantageously  used  for  manure. 

Spoiled  salted  beef,  pork,  &c.  may  be  formed  into  a 
compost  with  earth.  When  the  latter  has  imbibed  the 
principal  part  of  the  decomposable  animal  matter,  the 
compost  may  be  removed  with  as  little  or  less  offence 
than  slaughterhouse  dung.  The  brine  of  sound  beef,  pork, 
&.C.  is  also  valuable  manure.* 

When  domesticated  animals  die,  it  is  the  common  prac- 
tice to  let  them  rot  above  the  ground.  This  is  sure  to 
annoy  the  neighbourhood.  If  the  stench  from  the  ani- 
mal be  too  distant  to  contaminate  the  air,  dogs  are  fond 

*  The  product  of  wheat  has  been  considerably  increased  by  soaking  the 
seed  in  fish  brine,  and  rolling  it  previously  to  sowing,  in  dry  unleached 
ashes.  The  same  effect  is  to  be  expected  from  the  brine  from  meat,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  animal  matter  contained  in  it.  Brine  made  of  salt,  and  used 
in  the  same  way,  has  been  also  found  to  increase  the  crops  of  small  grain  and 
prevent  smut. 


182  lokain's  husbandry. 

of  carrion,  and  after  they  have  gorged  themselves  with 
it,  become  insufferable  inmates  to  the  families  to  which 
they  belong.  The  dead  animal  should  he  laid  on  a  thick 
layer  of  earth,  and  well  covered  with  the  same  material. 
After  the  covering  has  sunk  in,  and  the  earth  has  absorb- 
ed the  animal  matter,  the  compost  will  not  be  more  offen- 
sive than  slaughterhouse  dung,  provided  a  sufficiency  of 
earth  has  been  employed.  If  such  offensive  manures  be 
removed  regularly,  before  the  season  renders  them  very 
noxious,  the  injurious  prejudice  against  working  among 
them  will  cease.  They  should  be  hauled  to  the  field  du- 
ring the  winter,  and  ploughed  under  so  soon  as  frost  will 
permit.  The  same  should  also  be  done  when  night  soil  is 
used. 

Urine  is  a  very  valuable  manure,  and  may  be  readily 
saved  on  farms  by  putting  it  into  the  common  receptacle. 

The  manure  from  privies  is  very  powerful.  It  is  said 
that  five  loads  to  the  acre  have  restored  exhausted  soils ; 
and  two  loads  per  acre,  annually  applied,  has  excited 
and  maintained  luxuriant  vegetation.  The  interest  of  ag- 
riculture would  be  greatly  promoted  by  contriving  cheap 
and  simple  means  of  saving  the  manure  in  cities,  villages, 
and  on  farms,  and  of  conveying  it  to  the  soil  with  the  least 
possible  offence.  Quick  lime,  or  other  septic  substances, 
should  not  be  employed  to  effect  the  ready  removal  of  it. 

Sir  H.  Davy  says,  '  The  Chinese,  who  have  more  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  the  use  and  application  of  manures, 
than  any  other  people,  mix  their  night  soil  with  one-third 
of  its  weight  of  a  fat  marl,  make  it  into  cakes,  and  dry  it 
by  exposure  to  the  sun.  Those  cakes,  we  are  informed 
by  the  French  Missionaries,  have  no  disagreeable  smell, 
and  form  a  common  article  of  commerce  in  the  empire.' 
'  The  earth,  by  its  absorbent  powers,  probably  prevents 
to  a  certain  extent,  the  action  of  the  moisture  on  the  dung, 
and  likewise  defends  it  from  the  effects  of  the  air.'* 

*  See  his  Lee.  on  Agr.  Chem.  page  296. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  183 

The  experiment  seems  to  be  well  worth  trial ;  especial- 
ly as  there  appears  to  be  but  little,  if  any  difficulty  in  get- 
ting the  business  done.  It  offers  an  additional  profit  to 
those  who  clean  out  necessaries,  to  be  obtained  with  quite 
as  little,  or  perhaps  less  exposure  to  offence. 

How  the  Chinese  save  their  night  soil  is  unknown  to 
me.  If  as  much  moisture  be  mixed  with  it  as  obtains  in 
our  privies,  much  more  marl  must  be  used  by  them. 

A  pure  compact  clay  will  be  found  better  for  this  pur- 
pose than  a  calcareous  marl,^  as  the  latter  decomposes 
animal  and  vegetable  matters. 

The  agricultural  societies  organized  in  our  cities,  might 
have  this  experiment  made  with  but  little  trouble  or  ex- 
pense. To  prevent  error,  some  active  intelligent  member 
should,  in  the  beginning,  superintend  the  process. 

Pigeon  dung  is  a  very  powerful  manure ;  so  is  that  from 
farm  yard  poultry.  However,  neither  the  dung  nor  the 
fowl  will  ever  pay  the  farmer  one-tenth  part  of  the  money 
they  cost  him,  if  he  sufiers  them  to  pillage  his  fields  and 
mow  in  the  usual  way.  They  should  be  confined  when 
damage  may  be  expected  from  them  in  the  fields,  and  the 
grain  in  the  mows  should  be  kept  closely  covered  with 
straw. 

If  this,  however,  be  done,  and  the  poultry  are  not 
taught  to  roost  regularly  in  houses  provided  for  thern,  but 
little  manure  will  be  gathered.  Such  houses  cost  but 
little,  if  utility  in  place  of  parade  governs  the  practice  of 
the  cultivator.f 

In  some  places,  much  valyable  manure  may  be  gather- 
ed where  wild  birds  roost  at  night. 

Street  dirt  is  an  assemblage  of  substances;    some  of 

*  Clay  without  any  calcareous  matter  in  it,  is  sometimes  improperly  cal- 
led marl. 

t  In  England,  what  is  callerl  a  complete  establishment  for  poultry,  often 
costs  more  money  than  a  valuable  farm  would  cost  in  many  parts  of  thia 
country. 


184  lorain's  husbandry. 

which  are  mechanical,  others  enriching,  and  some  stimu- 
lating. When  too  large  a  proportion  of  the  first  does  not 
prevail,  it  is  a  very  valuable  manure. 

Sea,  river,  and  pond  weeds,  from  fifteen  to  twenty  loads 
to  the  acre,  have  been  used  with  success. 

The  weeds  growing  in  our  fields  may  be  very  profita- 
bly used,  provided  they  be  ploughed  under  the  soil  not 
less  than  five  inches  deep,  and  a  cultivation  calculated  to 
keep  them  there  be  pursued. 

When  potatoes,  or  any  other  root  which  can  only  be 
gathered  by  turning  up  the  soil,  is  planted,  the  use  of 
Weeds  should  be  avoided,  unless  the  soil  be  sufficiently 
deep  to  admit  the  practice  of  trench  ploughing. 

Straw,  and  some  other  vegetable  substances,  may  be 
ploughed  under  the  soil  in  tolerable  quantities  when  very 
wet :  but  as  it  is  difficult  under  any  other  circumstances 
than  a  partial  decomposition,  to  plough  under  a  sufficien- 
cy of  this  weak  manure,  to  do  any  very  material  good  to 
the  crops,  it  is  much  better  to  lose  some  part  of  it  by 
fermentation,  than  to  injure  the  round  of  crops,  and 
grasses  following  them.  Cornstalks,  and  other  bodies 
equally  hard,  will  require  more  decomposition  than  straw, 
before  they  can  be  readily  ploughed  under  the  soil  in  suf- 
ficient quantities  to  answer  any  very  valuable  purpose. 
Where  cattle  are  plenty,  every  vegetable  substance  that 
can  be  profitably  used  for  litter,  should  be  applied^to  that 
purpose,  as  the  rich  juices  in  the  cattle  yard  will  increase 
their  value  many  fold. 

Leaves,  when  raked  up  through  the  woods,  in  the  fall 
and  winter,  and  suffered  to  remain  under  the  shade  of  the 
trees  until  a  great  heat  takes  place  in  them,  become  very 
compact ;  and  but  very  partially  decomposed.  In  this 
state,  they  may  be  ploughed  under  the  soil,  and  are  a  val- 
uable manure.  ] 

If  the  ground,  however,  be  annually  raked,  the  grasses 
will  grow,  the  soil  will  become  hard,  and  the  timber  be 


Lorain's  husbandry.  18& 

eventually  destroyed,  as  are  the  trees  in  our  orchards^ 
when  the  grasses  are  suffered  to  take  possession  of  the 
grounds.  Therefore  the  woods  should  be  laid  out  so, 
that  one-third  part  of  them  only  be  raked  in  the  course 
of  three  years.  By  this  means,  the  grasses  will  be  kept 
under,  and  nature  will  keep  the  soil  open  and  mellow  for 
the  roots  of  the  trees,  by  the  fermentation  of  the  leaves, 
and  other  substances  covered  by  them.  The  loss  of  the 
leaves  from  this  practice  will  not  be  any  thing  like  so  great 
as  at  first  sight  appears  ;  for  the  economy  of  nature  is  per- 
fect: consequently,  the  fall  of  the  leaves  of  the  last  year 
is  preserved  by  her,  to  form  a  compact  covering  over 
those  that  had  fallen  before.  This  not  only  prevents  the 
growth  of  the  grasses,  but  also  much  evaporation  from  the 
fermentation  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  matters  under- 
neath them. 

It  has  been  confidently  asserted,  that  stone  coal  is  an 
excellent  manure  ;  that  it  has  succeeded  both  in  Europe 
and  this  country  :  therefore,  I  am  disposed  to  believe,  un- 
der favourable  circumstances,  it  may  be  so. 

I  have  tried  it  here  by  top  dressing,  without  any  per- 
ceptible eflfect,  on  corn,  wheat,  red  clover,  and  the  spear 
grasses,  although  the  coal  was  pounded  quite  fine,  and 
sifted.  This  may  have  happened  in  consequence  of  the 
soil  being  impregnated  with  some  of  the  properties  of 
the  coal,  as  it  frequently  appears  near  the  surface  through- 
out the  whole  neighbourhood  :  or  it  might  have  succeed- 
ed, if  it  had  been  ploughed  under  the  soil.  There  is  al- 
so a  great  difference  in  coal ;  t.hat  used  by  me  abounded 
in  sulphur  and  bitumen,  and  burned  freely.  ' 

The  ashes  from  stone  coal  have  been  extensively  used 
for  manure  at  from  forty  to  fifty  bushels  to  the  acre.  So 
has  soot  from  the  same  substance,  at  from  twenty-five  to 
forty  bushels  to  the  acre  ;  likewise  the  ashes  and  soot 
from  wood.  Too  little  care  is  taken  of  soot  in  this  coun- 
Vol.  X.  24 


186  lorain's  husbandry. 

try.  The  farmer  may  have  that  from  his  own  chimneys 
put  into  the  receptacle. 

Little  is  practically  known  of  peat  in  this  country  ;  but 
the  ashes  from  it  are  much  used  in  England  for  manure. 
Burning  is,  however,  a  destructive  practice,  and  should  be 
avoided  whenever  it  can  be  done.  It  is  much  better  to 
expose  the  peat  to  the  influence  of  the  atmosphere,  until 
it  can  be  ploughed  under  the  soil. 

The  great  value  of  chip  manure  from  our  wood  yards, 
when  it  is  but  very  partially  decomposed,  should  teach  us 
the  great  impropriety  of  reducing  vegetable  substances  to 
ashes,  when  manure  is  the  only  object,  and  when  they 
may  be  applied  without  burning.  If  these  chips  were  re- 
duced by  fire,  previously  to  their  being  applied,  the  com- 
parative value  of  them  would  be  trivial  indeed.  The 
cause  of  this  is  evident :  when  they  are  ploughed  under 
the  soil,  and  a  cultivation  calculated  to  keep  them  there 
is  pursued,  fermentation  and  decomposition  are  promoted, 
and  gradually  spread  all  their  exciting  and  enriching  in- 
fluence through  the  grounds,  with  the  least  possible  loss  ; 
and  ashes  stimulate,  but  do  not  enrich  the  soil. 

Sir  H.  Davy  says,  '  Peat  earth,  of  certain  consistence 
and  composition,  is  an  excellent  manure,  but  there  are 
some  varieties  of  peat,  which  contain  so  large  a  quantity 
of  ferruginous  matter,  as  to  be  absolutely  poisonous  to 
plants.'* 

This  can  only  happen  when  the  peat  is  applied  in  too 
large  quantities  ;  as  Sir  H.  and  many  other  gentlemen  have 
shown,  that  ferruginous  matter  is  an  excellent  manure. 
It  is  true,  that  he  rather  seems  disposed  to  confine  the 
usefulness  of  it  to  calcareous"  soils;  in  which,  he  says,  it 
unites  with  the  lime,  and  gypsum  is  formed. 

Agreeably  to  this  theory,  the  peats  which  contain  large 
quantities  of  ferruginous  matter,  may  be  rendered  very 
valuable  manure,  by  mixing  them  with  fresh  slaked  lime, 

■*  See  his  Lv't.  on  Agv.  Chem.  page  6. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  187' 

previously  to  their  being  applied  :  but  as  economy  is  im- 
portant in  the  practice  of  farming  it  would  be  far  better 
to  spread  the  lime  first  over  the  lay,  and  after  this  spread 
the  peat,  and  turn  the  whole  under.  This  will  place 
the  lime  on  and  among  the  peat.  If  the  ground  be  plough- 
ed a  little  deeper  when  the  next  round  of  crops  takes 
place,  the  lime  will  be  brought  to  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
This  practice  would  be  beneficial  when  peat  of  any  sort, 
or  hard  vegetable  substances  of  any  kind,  are  applied  for 
manure. 

Sir  H.  says,  '  Inert  peaty  matter  is  a  substance  of  the 
same  kind,  (alluding  to  tanners'  spent  bark.)  It  will  re- 
main for  years  exposed  to  water  and  air,  without  under- 
going change,  and  in  this  state  yields  little  or  no  nour- 
ishment for  plants.'*  Dr.  Darwin  recommends  heaping 
peat  either  with  or  without  lime,  in  order  to  expedite  the 
decomposition  of  it. 

This,  with  other  accounts  we  have  of  the  properties  of 
this  vegetation,  induces  me  to  believe,  that  Sir  H.  may  be 
as  mistaken  about  peat,  as  he  evidently  is,  respecting 
woody  fibre ;  which,  he  says,  '  will  not  ferment,  unless 
some  substance  be  mixed  with  it,  which  acts  the  same 
part  as  mucilage,  sugar,  and  extractive  or  albuminous 
matters,  with  which  it  is  usually  associated  in  herbs  and 
succulent  vegetables. 'f  Besides  the  exciting  causes  here 
briefly  enumerated  by  this  gentleman,  there  are  others 
which  have  been  mentioned  by  him  :J  some  of  these  may 
not  exist  in  some  trees,  and  but  little  of  them  in  others. 
Still,  there  is  in  every  tree  a  suflSciency  to  predispose  the 
wood  to  fermentation,  when  it  is  placed  in  situations  fa- 

*  See  his  Lee.  on  Agr.  Chem.  page  285. 

t  Ibid.  Here  Sir  H.  seems  to  insinuate,  tliat  tliese  matters  are  confined 
to  herbs  and  succulent  vegetables;  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  erro- 
neous. 

I  Idem,  page  73. 


188  Lorain's  husbandry. 

vouring  the  process.  The  simple  post,  mentioned  be- 
fore, determines  this  ;*  so  does  the  decomposition  of  the 
chips  in  our  wood  yards,  but  more  especially  the  innume- 
rable trees  that  time,  tornadoes,  &C.  have  prostrated  in 
our  forests. 

Here  we  see,  without  being  misled  by  erroneous  theo- 
ries, the  processes  of  fermentation  and  decomposition,  in 
all  their  different  stages,  as  well  as  on  the  diiferent  plants 
which  may  claim  our  attention :  ibut  as  woody  fibre  is 
the  subject  now  under  consideration,  and  the  decompo- 
sition of  it  has  been  described,  nothing  more  is  necessary 
to  be  added,  than  that  some  woods  rot  very  rapidly,  oth- 
ers, more  slowly,  and  some,  either  from  a  deficiency  of 
those  principles  which  favour  fermentation,  or  other  caus- 
es, decay  so  slowly,  that  they  are  like  charcoal,  improp- 
erly termed  by  some  indestructible.  However,  the  most 
durable  woods  are  decomposed  by  time  ;  and  a  shaded 
situation,  where  rain  has  access,  greatly  promotes  the  pro- 
cess. 

This  is  best  seen  in  the  back-woods,  where  various 
causes  induce  the  settlers  to  abandon  a  clearing  soon  after 
it  has  been  commenced.  In  that  case,  the  brush  heaps 
sink  soonest  into  decay.  The  heaps  of  logs,  from  their 
compact  form,  and  being  kept  continually  more  or  less 
damp,  by  rain  and  shade,  rot  much  sooner  than  many 
would  readily  imagine,  unless  they  happen  to  be  formed 
of  very  durable  wood. 

If  the  philosopher,  who  wishes  to  study  nature,  would, 
in  place  of  making  a  tour  of  Europe,  where  art  has  nearly 
obliterated  her  features,  spend  half  the  time  and  money  in 
the  interior  of  the  United  States,  where  the  line  of  culti- 
vation separates  pure  nature  from  art,  he  would  not  only 
see  nature  as  she  is,  but  by  comparing  her  perfect  system 
of  economy  with  what  art  had  done  in  the  older  settle- 

•  It  should  be  recollected,  that  posts  are  commonly  formed  of  the  most  du- 
rable and  well  seasoned  wood  the  farmer  can  readily  get. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  18d 

ments  of  Europe,  and  what  it  was  now  doing  in  America, 
more  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wilds  where  nature 
presides,  he  would  be  far  better  prepared  to  write  on  any 
subject  connected  with  her  economy  in  the  different  pro- 
cesses on  which  vegetation  depends. 

As  all  our  ideas  arise,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  from 
our  senses,  the  more  we  are  exercised  ori  the  subjects  we 
wish  to  understand,  the  better  we  shall  become  acquainted 
with  them. 

An  expert  and  intelligent  artist,  who  has  never  seen  na- 
ture as  she  really  is,  may  draw  an  interesting  likeness  of 
her.     It,  however,  vanishes  when  the  original  appears. 

It  is  said  that  tanners'  waste  bark,  when  completely  pu- 
trefied, affords  an  excellent  manure  ;  and  that  one  load  of 
it  is  equal  to  two  of  dung.  This  seems  to  be  rating  it 
highly ;  however,  it  may  imbibe  some  animal  matter  from 
the  hides.  If  so,  it  appears  that  it  should  be  much  sooner 
used,  especially  as  the  vegetable  matter  must  also  suffer 
considerable  loss  by  lying  so  long. 

It  is  also  said,  that  if  this  manure  be  intended  for  grass, 
it  ought  to  be  spread  in  the  latter  part  of  September,  that 
the  winter's  rains  may  wash  it  into  the  grounds  ;  for  if 
applied  in  the  spring  it  will  burn  the  grass.  But  if  applied 
for  wheat,  it  should  be  spread  immediately  before  the  last 
ploughing,  to  come  in  contact  with  the  early  roots  of  the 
plants.*  It  would,  however,  seem  that  but  little  is  prac- 
tically known  of  it.  Mr.  Young  says,  '  spent  bark  seemed 
rather  to  injure  vegetation  ;'f  he  attributes  this  to  the 
astringent  matter  that  it  contains.  Sir  H.  Davy  says,  '  it 
is  freed  from  soluble  substances  in  the  tan  pit ;  and  if  inju- 
rious to  vegetation,  the  effect  is  probably  owing  to  its 
agency  upon  water,  or  mechanical  effects  ;'  and  that  it  is 

*  It  would  appear  much  more  likely  to  injure  the  tender  roots  of  the  wheat. 
Practice,  however,  in  the  back-woods,  clearly  determines  that  it  will  injure 
neither,  unless  the  quantity  be  too  great. 

t  See  Sir  H,  Davy's  Lee.  on  Agr.  Chem.  page  285. 


190  Lorain's  husbandry. 

'  an  inert    substance,  and  remains  for  years  exposed  to 
water  and  air  without  undergoing  changes.'* 

These  opposing  opinions  furnish  one  of  the  numberless 
instances  in  which  gentlemen,  whose  talents  are  highly 
and  justly  esteemed,  advance  opposite  theories ;  and  clear- 
ly determine  that  nature  and  reason  should  be  consulted 
by  the  farmer,  before  any  practice  be  admitted  or  con- 
demned by  him.  More  especially  as  neither  of  these  gen- 
tlemen is  right. 

As  far  the  greater  part  of  the  astringent  matter  contain- 
ed in  the  bark  is  expended  in  the  tan  pit,  that  principle 
cannot  injure  vegetation,  unless  too  great  a  quantity  of 
spent  bark  be  applied. 

Where  tanning  is  judiciously  conducted,  and  bark  sells 
high,  all  the  astringent  matter  that  can  be  profitably  used 
is  extracted.  Still,  when  that  matter  becomes  too  incon- 
siderable to  pay  the  expense  of  attending  the  further  use 
of  it,  the  process  ceases,  and  leaves  the  remainder  in  the 
water  and  in  the  bark. 

As  the  principles  which  promote  fermentation  have  been 
extracted  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  pit,  tanners'  spent 
bark  cannot  ferment  so  freely  as  bark  from  which  none  of 
those  principles  have  been  extracted,  unless  the  animal 
matter  imbibed  from  the  hides  may  make  up  this  deficien- 
cy; which  seems  to  be  a  doubtful  question.  Therefore, 
where  lime  can  be  had  on  moderate  terms,  it  may  be 
brought  much  sooner  into  active  use,  by  the  application  of 
lime  in  the  way  that  has  been  recommended  for  using  it 
with  peat. 

Sometime  after  trees  are  girdled,  the  bark  begins  to  fall 
and  the  process  goes  on  gradually.  That  from  the  bo- 
dies or  trunks,  which  constitutes  a  considerable  part  of  the 
whole,  generally  rests  in  the  forks  formed  by  the  roots. 
Where  bad  cultivation  prevails  considerable  quantities  of 
it  are  often  covered  with  the^oil.     In  this  state  it  appears 

*  See  Sir  H.  Davy's  Lee.  on  Agr.  Chcm.  page  285. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  191 

to  decompose  freely  ;  but  if  the  quantity  happen  to  be  too 
considerable,  vegetation  languishes  and  looks  sallow.  The 
same,  however,  occurs,  where  any  other  vegetation  that  is 
but  partially  decayed,  accumulates  in  excess. 

It  seems  to  be  worth  trying  whether  the  liquid  from  the 
tan  pits  would  not  promote  vegetation,  after  it  was  no 
longer  useful  for  tanning. 

But  few  rabbits  are  kept  in  this  country.  However,  as 
their  dung  is  very  valuable,  it  should  be  saved. 

Rape  cake  is  also  highly  esteemed,  and  has  been  very 
successfully  used  for  manure  in  England. 

Linseed  cake  is  said  to  be  an  excellent  manure,  but  un- 
less it  has  been  damaged  it  is  generally  too  costly  to  be 
applied  to  that  purpose. 

Malt  dust  is  also  said  to  be  a  good  manure. 

In  fact  the  offals  of  almost  every  mechanical  employ- 
ment furnish  materials  for  valuable  manure.  Even  shav- 
ings, sawdust,  and  the  chips  and  turnings  from  those  work- 
ing in  wood.  Therefore,  it  would  be  very  tedious  to 
enumerate  the  whole  of  them.  Enough  has  been  said  to 
show  that  many  manures,  scarcely  ever  used  in  this  coun- 
try, are  exceedingly  valuable,  and  that  much  more  atten- 
tion should  be  given  to  them. 

That  water  is  a  powerful  promoter  of  vegetation  is 
every  where  seen;  but  until  I  removed  to  this  elevated 
situation,  I  had  not  so  clearly  seen  the  immense  powers 
contained  in  simple  rain  water  to  effect  that  purpose. 

The  passing  clouds  more  frequently  water  the  soil  ;  con- 
sequently grass  abounds  much  more  than  in  the  same  lati- 
tude where  the  grounds  lie  much  lower. 

Our  summers  are  much  cooler  and  shorter  than  in  the 
same  line  of  latitude  below  us.  Yet  Indian  corn,  when 
planted  in  time,  and  properly  cultivated,  seems  to  be  equal- 
ly productive.  To  that  crop  moisture  appears  to  compen- 
sate for  a  deficiency  in  heat.  Other  spring  crops,  on  equal 
soils,  appear  to  excel  those  below  us.     The  same  may  be 


192  Lorain's   husbandry. 

said  of  potatoes  and  turnips.  I  have  grown  the  latter 
here  without  manure,  and  on  rough  grounds,  not  well  cul- 
tivated, that  weighed  eight  pounds. 

Water  is  an  important  agent  in  promoting  the  fermenta- 
tion and  decomposition  of  animal  and  vegetable  substances  ; 
and  its  fluidity  is  well  calculated  to  convey  the  nutriment 
arising  therefrom  to  the  roots  of  the  plants.  It  also  con- 
stitutes a  considerable  portion  of  the  bodies  of  plants,  and 
as  it  has  been  before  observed,  is  capable  of  dissolving 
most  natural  bodies,  and  also  of  imbibing  and  conveying 
their  properties.  Water  parts  with  some  substances  pre- 
viously to  its  descent  in  rain.  Still,  there  is  great  reason 
to  believe  that  it  either  retains,  or  gathers  in  its  descent, 
enriching  as  well  as  fertilizing  principles ;  as  it  soon  be- 
comes putrid  in  vessels  which  do  not  appear  to  communi- 
cate any  of  the  causes  of  putridity  to  it. 

Notwithstanding  the  numerous  advantafijes  derived  from 
water,  a  superabundance  of  it,  joined  with  a  deficiency  of 
heat,  retards  fermentation,  and  vegetation  languishes  and 
looks  sallow,  unless  proper  division  has  been  made  to  car- 
ry off  the  excess.  These  effects  are  most  pre-eminently 
seen  in  grain  fields,  especially  in  those  of  wheat  sown  in 
the  fall  where  proper  water  furrowing  has  not  been  intro- 
duced. 

The  growth  of  the  grasses  is  also  considerably  retarded 
from  the  same  cause,  but  they  are  seldom  very  materially 
injured  in  this  way,  unless  where  the  water  becomes  stag- 
nant. If  this  occur,  and  very  warm  weather  succeed,  even 
grass  may  be  greatly  injured,  and  is  sometimes  ruined  by 
a  superabundance  of  putrefaction.  If  this  be  kept  up  by 
permanent  spouts  or  springs,  no  valuable  vegetation  can 
exist;  except  near  to  the  head  or  fountain  of  the  springs, 
where  it  is  generally  luxuriant,  and  will  often  continue  to 
grow  through  the  winter,  when  vegetation  is  every  where 
else  completely  locked  up  by  the  frost.  It  seems  that  the 
water  passes  ofl"  too  soon  near  the  spring  to  acquire  suffi- 
cient putridity  to  injure  the  grasses. 


Lorain's  husbandry.  193 

This  should  teach  the  farmer  the  great  impropriety  of 
cultivating  wet  grounds,  until  he  has  properly  drained 
them,  unless  ridging  and  water  furrowing  them  in  the  way 
that  will  be  hereafter  described  will  answer  the  same  pur- 
pose. 

However,  where  the  grounds  are  free  from  spouts  or 
springs,  this  supposed  excess  of  moisture,  Vv'hich  cultiva- 
tors who  farm  in  every  clime  and  soil  alike  consider  a  great 
disadvantage,  may  with  proper  management  be  turned  to 
certain  profit.  It  is  not  very  difficult  to  make  provision  to 
run  off  an  excess  of  water  from  rain  ;  but  where  enough 
of  it  is  wanting,  it  cannot  be  introduced  in  sufficient  quan- 
tities for  agricultural  purposes,  but  by  an  expense  entirely 
inconsistent  with  the  economy  of  farming. 

Hence  it  is  that  the  grasses,  and  cultivated  crops,  in  cli- 
mates subjected  to  what  is  too  generally  considered  a  su- 
perabundance of  moisture,  are,  when  properly  ordered, 
green  and  luxuriant,  while  those  growing  on  lands  which 
are  much  more  highly  esteemed  are  parched  with  drought. 

Farmers  who  have  exercised  too  little  observation,  and 
of  consequence,  as  was  before  observed,  farm  in  every  clime 
alike,  say,  those  dripping  climates  are  excellent  for  grass, 
but  very  unfit  for  grain.  It  may,  however,  be  laid  down  as 
a  maxim  in  farming,  that  where  real  good  grasses  abound, 
grain  will  also  abound,  if  a  proper  system  of  husbandry  be 
pursued. 

England  is  a  northerly  and  moist  climate.  Still,  grain 
prospers  there,  and  would  prosper  as  well,  perhaps  better, 
in  Ireland,  if  as  good  a  cultivation  prevailed. 

But  it  should  be  recollected,  that  the  well  instructed 
British  agriculturist  does  not  expect  good  crops  of  grain 
from  an  exhausted  soil,  unless  it  has  been  previously  well 
manured,  and  if  the  soil  requires  it,  laid  dry;  not  only  by 
proper  water  furrowing,  but  by  laborious  draining  also,  if 
that  should  be  considered  necessary. 

Vol.  X.  25 


J  94  LOBAIN's    HUSBANDRY. 

It  is  generally  believed  that  the  atmosphere  is  laden  with 
substances  which  greatly  promote  vegetation,  and  also  en- 
rich the  soil ;  particularly  when  the  latter  is  well  covered 
with  plants  calculated  to  gather  and  shield  those  deposi- 
tions from  the  improper  action  of  the  sun  and  air.  Still, 
the  great  importance  of  gathering  and  securing  them  is 
not  sufficiently  appreciated  ;  or  a  cultivation  and  manage- 
ment immediately  opposed  to  it  would  not  so  generally  pre- 
vail. 

Their  value  is  demonstrable,  if  it  be  granted,  that  all  the 
improvement  made  in  any  soil  with  its  own  produce  alone, 
must  proceed  from  the  enriching  and  fertilizing  principles 
derived  from  the  atmosphere ;  especially  if  the  grain  and 
roots  grown  on  the  farm  be  principally  sold,  and  the  prin- 
cipal dependence  for  enriching  it,  rest  on  feeding  the  hay 
and  other  fodder  to  cattle  on  the  place,  and  using  the  straw 
and  offal  vegetation  for  litter. 

Under  circumstances  though  not  exactly  alike,  but  in 
substance  the  same,  an  improvement  of  nearly  fourfold 
was  made,  in  the  course  of  five  years,  on  a  farm  with  which 
I  was,  at  the  time  this  was  doing,  intimately  acquainted, 
and  witnessed  the  progress  of  the  improvement.  It  was 
determined,  by  estimating  the  value  of  the  different  crops; 
and  the  soil  appeared  to  me  to  be  fully  as  much,  if  not  more, 
improved,  during  this  time,  than  the  crops  had  been. 
Some  extraneous  assistance  was  had  recourse  to  ;  but  more 
manure  remained  on  the  farm  unapplied  when  this  esti- 
mate was  made  than  equalled  the  value  of  the  foreign  aid 
introduced  by  the  cultivator. 

The  farm  contained  about  one  hundred  and  six  acres  of 
ground,  of  which  about  fifteen  acres  were  thinly  set  wood- 
land. The  leaves  from  the  woods  were  generally,  but  not 
always,  used  for  litter.  However,  the  loss  to  the  soil 
from  the  sale  of  nearly  all  the  grain  and  roots,  must  have 
very  greatly  exceeded  the  advantage  derived  from  the 
leaves,  although  their  value  was  not  deemed  inconsider- 


loratn's   husbandry.  195 

able.  Now  if  this  improvement  did  not  arise  from  the  en- 
riching principles  existing  in  the  atmosphere,  it  is  difficult 
to  devise  how  it  could  have  happened. 

Although  the  hay,  grass,  straw,  &c.  w^ere  made  into 
better  manure  than  it  is  probable  these  substances  afford- 
ed in  their  native  state,  the  cattle  which  were  fed  on  the 
hay,  grass,  corn  fodder,  &c.  were  bought  in  lean,  and  sold 
out  to  the  butcher  fat.  They  of  consequence  took  away 
with  them  more  enriching  matter  than  they  brought;  and 
all  the  enriching  matter  left  by  them  in  the  dung,  was  the 
produce  of  the  food  eaten  by  them.  But  it  should  be  ob- 
served  that  the  fields  which  were  not  under  cultivation 
were  in  grass,  and  so  managed,  that  they  derived  every 
advantage  which  might  be  rationally  expected  from  the 
rich  matters  floating  in  'the  atmosphere.  The  dung  was 
carefully  gathered  and  ploughed  under  the  soil,  previous 
to  any  material  waste  from  fermentation.  However,  the 
cultivation  of  the  crops  was  too  seldom  calculated  to  save 
it  from  useless  waste. 

I  have  mentioned  before,  that  as  maize  is  large,  the 
economy  of  it  is  more  readily  observed  than  that  of  many 
other  plants,  and  that  it  may  be  clearly  seen  that  this  plant 
gathers  much  of  the  nutriment  by  which  its  ears  are  form- 
ed and  matured  from  the  atmosphere. 

The  economy  of  the  kidney  bean,  together  with  that  of 
all  the  plants,  which  penetrate  the  soil,  with  the  seed  from 
which  they  vegetate  attached  to  the  extremities  of  their 
stems  or  plume,  demonstrates,  that  nature  has  ordered  or 
contrived  plants  so,  that  they  have  the  power  to  convey 
the  nutri^tive  matter  found  in  contact  with  their  tops, 
throughout  their  whole  general  system,  equally  as  well  as 
that  imbibed  by  their  roots.  This  very  interesting  part 
of  the  economy  of  nature  has  also  been  very  ingeniously 
determined  by  art,  as  by  planting  the  tops  of  some  kinds 
of  trees  in  the  ground,  and  elevating  their  roots  in  the  air, 
the  buds  which  usually  form  leaves  become  roots  ;  and 


19(5  lobain's   husbandry. 

those  which  when  in  the  ground,  formed  roots  or  radicals, 
were  changed  into  leaves,  flowers,  &c. 
^  The  kidney  bean,  when  it  comes  up  through  the  soil, 
brings  the  seed  with  it.  The  bean,  in  the  process  of  vege- 
tation, is  split  lengthwise.  The  colour  of  it  is  but  little 
changed,  and  but  little  of  the  nutritious  matter  seems  to 
have  been  exhausted  previously  to  its  appearance  above 
the  soil.  After  this,  the  two  sides  separate  wider  apart, 
and  seem  to  flatten  more  or  less  daily,  until  they  are  form- 
ed into  leaves ;  the  colour  of  them  gradually  growing 
greener,  in  proportion  as  the  nutriment  contained  in  them* 
is  exhausted  by  the  infant  plant.  My  examination  of  the 
leaves  formed  by  the  bean,  has  unfortunately  been  carried 
no  further.  Therefore  I  do  not  know  that  these  leaves 
grow  as  large,  and  are  as  perfectly  formed  as  the  other 
leaves  of  the  plant. 

Dr.  Darwin  says,  'The  seed  lobes  of  this  plant  are 
converted  into  leaves,  and  perform  the  office  of  lungs.' 
But  he  is  certainly  mistaken  in  saying,  '  they  have  given 
up  beneath  the  soil  the  nutriment  which  they  previously 
contained.'*  This  is  a  very  gradual  and  a  highly  impor- 
tant process  of  nature,  whether  it  be  performed  either 
above  or  within  the  soil.  In  the  case  of  the  kidney  bean 
it  is,  however,  evident  that  this  process  is  principally  per- 
formed above  ground. 

The  thinning  and  suckering  of  maize,  has  ever  appear- 
ed to  me  to  be  a  very  important  part  of  the  proper  ma- 
nagement of  that  crop.  Therefore,  I  have  given  much 
personal  attention  to  both ;  and  have  pulled  up  plants 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches  high,  with  a  part  of  the  seed 
still  attached  to  the  root :  but  in  common  it  is  decayed  be- 
fore the  plants  are  so  large. 

However,  so  far  as  my  observation  has  extended,  it 
would  seem,  that  the  fermentation  and  decomposition  of 

*  See  his  Phytol,  page  23. 


Lorain's   husbandry.  197 

Seed  greatly  depend  on  the  exciting  causes  found  in  con- 
tact with  it.  This  appears  to  be  still  more  probable,  as 
we  all  may  see  that  seed  vegetate  very  precariously  when 
so'.vn  in  an  old  worn  out  soil  :  also,  that  on  such  soils  the 
seed  of  those  grasses  which  require  much  nutriment,  re- 
main torpid  until  the  grounds  are  enriched. 

Those  circumstances  seem  to  show,  how  it  happens  that 
plants  from  seeds  coated  with  gypsum,  previously  to  their 
being  sown  on  a  thin  soil,  are  so  much  more  luxuriant 
than  those  sown  on  the  same  description  of  soil,  without 
being  covered  with  that  substance. 

The  gypsum  hastens  the  decomposition  not  only  of  the 
richer  matters  stored  up  in  the  seed,  but  also  the  outside 
covering  of  it  which  is  less  nutritive,  and  of  consequence 
sinks  lower  into  decay.  It  would  appear,  however,  that 
neither  of  these  substances  is  soon  enough  decomposed 
by  the  feeble  fermentation  which  occurs  in  a  thin  soil. 
Therefore  the  plant  growing  from  seed  thickly  coated  with 
gypsum,  is  well  supplied  with  the  nutriment  which  nature 
has  prepared  for  its  support  during  its  infant  state.  This 
causes  the  organization  of  its  system  to  be  much  more 
perfect  and  robust  ;*  and  of  consequence  much  better  cal- 
culated to  perform  the  functions  of  life,  than  a  plant 
which,  from  a  slow  and  scanty  supply  of  the  same  kind  of 
nutritious  matter,  becomes  debilitated,  and  of  course  much 
more  imperfect  in  the  organization  of  its  system  ;  there- 
fore has  not  sufficient  strength  or  power  to  extend  its  roots 
deep  and  wide,  in  search  of  the  thinly  scattered  nutriment 
affijrded  by  a  poor  soil.  As  the  tops  of  plants  thus  cir- 
cumstanced are  equally  as  much  debilitated,  and  as  im- 
perfectly organized,  as  are  their  roots,  but  little  nutriment 
can  be  gathered  from  the  atmosphere  by  them. 

Here  again  we  see  the  close  analogy  which  exists  be- 

*  No  question  but  the  gypsum  with  wliich  the  seed  is  coated  acts  powerfully 
on  the  animal  and  vegetable  matters  found  in  contact  with  it,  and  that  this, 
like  leaven,  spreads  fermentation. 


198  Lorain's  husbandry. 

tween  plants  and  animals.  If  a  pig  or  calf  be  weaned 
while  it  is  young,  or  can  obtain  but  a  scanty  supply  of  the 
nutriment  provided  for  its  early  support,  and  the  husband- 
man does  not  supply  this  defect  by  proper  nutritious  food, 
we  observe  that  the  animal  becomes  meagre,  feeble,  man- 
gy, pot-gutted,  inactive,  and  its  hair  is  long,  dead,  and 
shaggy.  In  fact  the  organization  of  its  whole  system  com- 
monly becomes  debilitated  and  deranged.  It  also  seldom 
happens  that  an  animal  which  has  been  thus  neglected 
and  stunted,  can  ever  be  so  much  restored  as  to  attain  the 
same  perfection  as  those  that  have  been  well  provided  for 
during  their  infancy. 

In  the  fall  of  1814,  I  turned  under  a  soil  thinly  set  with 
native  grass,  principally  white  clover ;  but  as  it  has  been 
my  lot  to  follow  perpetual  ploughers,  or  rather  scratchers 
of  the  soil,  it  was  thickly  set  with  brambles  and  sprouts 
from  the  roots  of  the  girdled  timber.  The  soil  had  been 
much  exhausted :  it  had  been,  however,  long  enough 
abandoned  by  the  man  who  had  destroyed  the  timber,  and 
ruined  the  soil,  to  be  covered  by  nature  with  the  vegeta- 
tion above  described.  Early  in  the  ensuing  spring,  wheat 
was  sown  on  the  lay.  This  was  covered  by  the  tined  har- 
row, and  red  clover  seed  sown  on  it.  The  wheat  plants 
generally  looked  weakly,  as  soon  as  they  penetrated  the 
soil,  and  in  this  state  they  continued,  until  the  crop  was 
matured.  It  would  appear  that  the  energy  of  the  plants 
was  not  sufficient  to  penetrate  the  slowly  decaying  sod 
formed  by  an  impoverished  soil,  in  time  to  obtain  a  tolera- 
ble supply  of  nutriment  from  it. 

The  crop  was  so  scanty  that  it  determined  me  to  pro- 
cure ashes  to  dress  another  field  of  the  same  description  of 
soil,  and  exactly  in  the  same  condition,  which  I  had  re- 
eolved  to  lay  down  in  red  clover,  by  the  same  mode  of 
management.  It,  however,  so  happened  that  but  few 
ashes  could  be  saved,  and  these  were  more  or  less  injured 
by  rain.     They  were  spread  over  about  half  the  field,  but 


Lorain's  husbandry,  109 

so  thinly  that  little  perceptible  good  was  expected  from 
them.  This  induced  me  to  coat  the  whole  of  the  seed 
with  as  much  very  finely  powdered  gypsum  as  would  ad- 
here to  it.  The  plants,  on  their  first  appearance,  looked 
healthy  and  vigorous,  as  well  where  the  ashes  had  not,  as 
where  they  had  been  spread,  and  so  they  continued  to  do. 
I  am  now  reaping  the  field,  which,  from  first  to  last,  has 
caused  much  surprise  to  all  my  neighbours,  who  knew  the 
grounds,  and  how  much  they  had  been  exhausted ;  espe- 
cially those  who  had  examined  the  product  of  the  first 
mentioned  field.  I  believe  the  produce  of  the  present  field 
cannot  be  estimated  per  acre,  at  less  than  double  that  of 
the  former  one;  although  the  soil,  cultivation,  and  condi- 
tion of  both  were  exactly  the  same ;  except  that  no  gyp- 
sum was  employed  in  the  former  instance.  The  crops  of 
spring  wheat  were  generally  quite  as  good,  if  not  better, 
last  year,  than  they  now  are.  I  will  conclude  my  book  on 
vegetation  and  manures  by  observing,  that  the  manures 
arising  from  the  tops  and  roots  of  the  grasses  ploughed 
under  the  soil,  are  so  closely  connected  with  cultivation, 
that-the  best  modes  of  obtaining  them,  will  naturally  occur 
in  a  description  of  that  cultivation  best  calculated  to 
gather,  apply,  and  preserve  them  from  waste. 

In  this  description,  which  will  appear  in  my  next  book, 
it  will,  I  trust,  be  clearly  seen,  that  incalculable  advantages 
may  be  obtained,  from  the  proper  application  of  the  roots 
and  tops  of  the  grasses  for  manure ;  that  they  may  be  so 
applied  and  managed  as  to  produce  at  least  double  the 
advantage,  both  to  the  crops  and  the  soil,  that  has  been 
obtained  from  them  by  the  too  general  mode  of  manage- 
ment. Also  that  the  grasses  in  the  hands  of  a  judicious 
cultivator  are  nature's  certain  restorative ;  the  only  ra- 
tional means  by  which  the  farmer  will  be  enabled  to  re- 
store exhausted  soils,  and  keep  them  with  that  part  of  their 
own  produce  alone,  which  he  may  readily  spare,  constantly 


200  Lorain's  husbandry. 

as  well  stored  with  decaying  animal  and  vegetable  matter, 
as  they  were  when  subjected  to  the  simple  but  wise  econo- 
my of  nature  alone.  Likewise  that  an  immense  loss  in  the 
tops  and  roots  of  the  grasses,  and  also  in  farm  yard  ma- 
nure, as  well  as  in  the  fertilizing  principles  floating  in  the 
atmosphere,  naturally  arises  from  the  present  too  general 
mode  of  management,  both  in  the  application,  and  culti- 
vation after  they  have  been  applied.  And  that,  by  a  pro- 
per system  of  husbandry,  these  losses  may  be  readily 
avoided,  and  the  value  of  the  crops  greatly  increased  ;  the 
soil  enriched,  in  place  of  being  exhausted,  and  far  better 
prepared  for  succeeding  crops,  with  much  less  labour  and 
expense  than  generally  occur  in  the  usual  way. 

After  this  has  been  done,  if  the  reader  will  sum  up  the 
various  losses  in  manure,  that  naturally  arise  from  the  pre- 
sent too  general  mode  of  gathering  and  managing  of  it, 
and  also  from  an  injudicious  and  irrational  cultivation,  he 
will  certainly  find  them  excessively  great. 

When  calculations  are  made  on  principles  that  cannot 
be  certainly  established,  they  will  not  be  correct.  Still, 
it  seems  probable,  from  what  has  been  generally  advanced, 
and  also  from  what  happened  on  the  farm  mentioned 
above,  that  if  the  immense  sums  of  money  or  labour  ex- 
pended in  the  useless  and  destructive  attempts  to  make 
animal  and  vegetable  matter  a  better  food  for  plants,  also 
in  a  laborious  and  injurious  cultivation,  were  spent  in  pro- 
curing the  litter  and  saving  the  dung,  which  is  now  too 
generally  wasted,  that  the  produce  of  the  United  States 
would  be  at  least  doubled  in  the  course  of  five  years ; 
without  estimating  the  aid  which  may  be  derived,  during 
that  time,  from  the  increased  agricultural  capital  and 
population,  that  is  to  be  expected  from  the  great  influx  of 
foreigners,  or  in.  fact  any  other  aid,  than  that  of  proper 
management." 


loratn's  husbandry.  201 


Remarks  on  Mr.  Lorain's  ninth  chapter. 

We  wish  our  farmers  generally  would  attend  to  the  re" 
marks  of  Mr.  Lorain  and  of  Sir  Humphrey  Davy  on  the  use 
of  manure  from  privies.  If  it  be  true,  "  that  five  loads  to 
the  acre  have  renewed  exhausted  soils,  and  that  two  loads 
per  acre  annually  applied  have  excited  and  maintained 
luxuriant  vegetation,"  it  is  surely  a  subject  of  vast  import- 
ance to  farmers.  We  fear  that  this  species  of  manure  is 
not  used,  except  by  the  farmers  near  the  capital ;  but  pri- 
vate families  in  the  country  might  employ  this  most  pow- 
erful of  all  manures  at  a  very  small  expense.  We  would 
suggest  a  mode  of  making  this  manure  very  valuable,  at  a 
trifling  cost.  The  buildings  are  easily  removed.  Let  the 
vault  be  dug,  and  its  bottom  covered  with  clay  if  within 
reach.  The  clay  should  be  tempered,  and  rammed  hard. 
Even  the  sides  might  be  lined  with  clay  at  a  small  expense. 
Where  clay  cannot  be  obtained,  let  the  bottom  be  puddled; 
that  is,  the  earth  saturated  with  water  and  then  rammed 
down  hard.  As  it  is  proposed  to  clear  this  pit  out  every 
year,  let  it  be  filled  to  within  two  feet  of  the  surface  with 
straw  or  leaves  and  earth,  laid  in  loosely.  In  this  way, 
all  the  animal  matter,  fluid  and  solid,  will  be  preserved. 
The  Chinese  use  clay,  and  make  the  whole  into  cakes; 
but  this  is  a  labour,  which  farmers  in  general  will  not  per- 
form. To  make  this  manure  easily  accessible,  the  building 
may  be  raised  on  posts,  and  entered  by  a  few  steps  :  it 
may  be  surrounded  by  a  bank,  raised  above  the  surface 
two  or  three  fegt,  covered  with  sods,  to  make  its  external 
appearance  neat.'  One  side  only  need  be  opened,  and  the 
contents  evacuated  by  hoes  and  other  instruments  in  a  short 
time,  if  performed  annually.  The  earthy  and  strawy  ma- 
terials will  render  the  process  less  nauseous. 

This  manure,  applied  to  squashes,  pumpkins,  or  any 
other  garden  crops,  would  last  (we  speak  from  experience^ 

Vol.  X.  2G 


202  loratn's  husbandry. 

having  applied  it  to  grape  vines,)  from  five  to  seven  years. 
If  Mr.  Lorain  is  in  any  degree  correct  in  saying  that  five 
loads  will  fertilize  an  acre,  the  contents  of  a  privy  in  a 
large  family  would  be  at  least  equal  to  the  manure  of 
three  or  four  horned  cattle.  These  details  are  perhaps 
too  minute,  but  the  amount  wasted  of  the  most  valuable 
manure  is  certainly  much  greater  than  most  farmers  are 
aware  of.  When  Mr.  Lorain  remarks,  that  "  when  pota- 
toes, or  any  other  root  which  can  only  be  gathered  by 
turning  up  the  soil,  is  planted,  the  use  of  weeds  should  be 
avoided,"  it  should  be  received  with  this  very  important 
qualification, — weeds  should  never  be  used  in  any  soil,  or  for 
any  crops,  unless  they  are  cut  before  any  one  seed  ripens. 
Sluggish  and  careless  must  be  the  farmer  who  suflfers  any 
of  his  weeds  to  perfect  their  seeds.  They  should  not  be 
thrown  into  the  pig  sty  after  they  have  ripened  their  seeds. 
But  there  is  a  remark,  which  should  not  have  escaped  Mr. 
Lorain ;  that  if  they  are  not  ploughed  in,  they  will  shed 
their  seeds  on  the  ground,  and  the  chance  of  their  being 
checked,  and  even  destroyed  by  rotting,  is  much  greater 
when  ploughed  in  below  the  surface,  than  when  left  above 
it.  We  have  before  stated,  that  we  consider  a  rich  crop 
of  weeds  not  only  not  an  evil,  but  to  the  spirited  cultivator 
a  blessing.  It  may  be  said,  that  this  is  a  contradiction  to 
the  caution,  not  to  suffer  them  to  ripen  their  seeds;  but 
that  caution  was  designed  for  those  who  never  plough  and 
hoe  till  they  see  their  weeds  "  breast  high."  There  is  one 
exception  as  to  the  utility  of  weeds  or  noxious  plants; 
that  is,  to  those  plants  which  propagate  by  their  roots,  such 
as  couch  grass,  sorrell,  and  the  nettle.  Such  plants  should 
be  entirely  extirpated.  The  process  is  very  laborious,  but 
it  is  some  consolation  to  the  farmer,  that  this  extra  labour 
is  not  lost ;  for  the  minute  subdivision  of  the  soil,  which 
this  labour  compels  liim  to  make,  is  useful  not  only  to  the 
existing,  but  to  all  future  crops. 
Mr.  Lorain  is  the  only  writer,  whose  works  have  met  our 


lorain's  husbandry.  203 

eye,  who  has  adverted  to  the  use  of  the  ashes  of  mineral 
coal.  It  has  not  been  for  want  of  research  that  it  has  es- 
caped our  attention,  but  he  adverts  to  some  authorities 
unknown  to  us. 

He  says,  that  personally  he  has  not  experienced  any 
benefit  from  the  use  of  them,  but  that  they  have  been  ex- 
tensively used  for  manure  at  the  rate  of  from  forty  to  fifty 
bushels  the  acre. 

This  is  a  question  of  some  importance  in  New  England. 
The  ashes  from  our  own  personal  consumption  of  the  an- 
thracite coal  amounted  to  twenty  bushels,  and  several  more 
from  a  green  house.  The  use  of  this  coal  in  the  numerous 
manufacturing  establishments  renders  this  question,  one  of 
considerable  importance.  We  applied  these  coal  ashes 
to  a  dry  sandy  and  gravelly  hill,  and  also  to  a  very  wet 
meadow.  Six  weeks,  only,  have  elapsed  since  the  trial. 
On  the  hill,  the  ashes  have  brought  in  a  very  clear  and  de- 
cided increase  of  grass.  Whether  this  is  owing  to  the 
ashes,  or  to  the  minute  parts  of  the  carbonic  coal,  not 
consumed,  we  cannot  say.  We  have  the  greater  doubt  on 
this  subject,  as  it  has  been  stated  on  authority,  the  value 
of  which  we  have  had  no  means  of  testing,  that  pulverised 
anthracite  coal  is  valuable,  as  a  manure.  As  to  the  wet 
lands,  to  which  it  was  applied,  it  must  remain  doubtful, 
whether  its  apparently  useful  effects,  were  merely  mechan- 
ical, or  whether  it  operated  as  a  manure.  Most  certainly 
the  question  is  of  considerable  importance,  when  we  know, 
that  4000  tons  of  this  coal  are  annually  consumed  here, 
and  the  future  consumption  seems  to  be  illimitable. 

Mr.  Lorain  speaks  of  tanners'  bark,  as  of  questionable 
utility,  but  without  denying  it.  That  it  is  useful  to  trees, 
we  know  by  long  experience  ;  whether  by  keeping  the 
ground  open,  or  by  affording  nutriment,  or  both,  we  cannot 
at  present  say.  There  is  one  fact,  however,  which  has 
great  weight  with  us.  One  of  the  most  intelligent  culti- 
vators, and  one  of  the  most  successful.  Deacon  Corey  of 


204  lorain's  husbandry. 

Brighton,  we  have  remarked  for  many  years,  has  made  very 
extensive  use  of  bark  in  his  compost  heaps.  Many  other 
farmers  have  used  it  in  their  pig  sties,  as  a  means  of  in- 
creasing their  manure.  There  can  be  no  question,  that 
oak  bark,  which  the  English  farmers  use  alone,  is  much 
more  easily  decomposed,  than  the  hemlock  bark.  The 
reason  is  very  obvious,  that  the  resinous  plants  longer  re- 
sist the  effects  of  putrefaction,  and  are,  of  course,  decom- 
posed with  more  difficulty,  than  that  of  trees,  which  are 
not  furnished  with  resin.  Rot,  however,  they  all  finally 
must,  and  those,  who  are  within  the  reach  of  this  material, 
which  has  been  generally  wasted,  would  do  well  to  avail 
themselves  of  it.  Even  the  fastidious  Mr.  Lorain,  (opposed 
to  all  the  means  of  hastening  the  process  of  rotting  veg- 
etable substances),  probably  would  have  consented  to  the 
use  of  lime,  in  accelerating  the  decomposition  of  tanners' 
hark. 

We  shall  now  take  leave  of  Mr.  Lorain,  for  the  present, 
with  the  hope  of  renewing  our  acquaintance  with  so  intel- 
ligent and  able  a  writer,  and  a  thoroughly  experienced  farm- 
er. We  began,  with  the  intention  of  examining  his  whole 
work,  in  the  same  minute  (tliough  we  are  conscious)  im- 
perfect manner ;  but  we  soon  found,  that  we  must  either 
dogmatize  (as  it  seems  to  be  the  privilege  of  reviewers  to 
do)  or  meet  the  author  on  fair,  and  equal  ground.  We 
have  preferred  the  latter,  as  the  most  useful  course.  The 
delay  is  of  little  moment,  because  Mr.  Lorain's  work  is  so 
expensive  ;  so  full  of  learning,  and  book  reading,  that  it 
will  be  seen  by  a  few  educated  farmers  only  ;  and  when  we 
resume  the  subject  in  our  next  number,  it  will  be  as  fresh, 
and  new  to  most  of  our  readers,  as  if  we  had  finished  it 

liOW. 

What  we  have  at  present  done,  may  have  the  effect  of 
inducing  many  to  look  at  the  work,  and  surely,  it  will  be 
no  small  recommendation  of  it,  to  perceive,  that  its  first 
book  has  elicited  so  many  remarks,  and  is  so  full  of  in- 


MR.    knight's    present    OF    FRUITS.  205 

struction  and  matter,  as  they  must  perceive  it  to  be.  If 
in  the  course  of  our  remarks,  we  may  have  appeared  to  be, 
in  any  case  uncandid,  we  can  truly  say,  tliat  it  was  with- 
out intention,  and  that  we  have  only  followed  the  example 
of  our  author  in  expressing  our  opinions  fearlessly,  without 
favour  or  affection. 


NEW  PRESENT  OF  FRUITS  TO  THE  CITIZENS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES,  BY    THO.  A.  KNIGHT,  ESQ. 

It  would,  indeed,  be  an  unpardonable  neglect  in  the 
Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  to  fail 
in  putting  upon  record,  in  their  journal,  the  following 
generous  and  public  spirited  letter  from  Mr.  Knight.  It 
should  be  known,  that  the  box  mentioned  in  the  following 
letter,  was  a  duplicate.  Mr.  Knight  having  despatched 
the  same  plants  a  year  before,  which,  owing  to  the  negli- 
gence of  a  carrier,  were  utterly  lost ;  I  am  now  able  to 
state,  more  precisely,  the  fate  of  the  trees  and  scions  sent> 
though  many  of  the  scions  are  still  in  a  doubtful  condition. 
There  were  six  pear  trees  sent,  which  are  all  alive.  Three  of 
them  are  known  ;  Oakley  Park  No.  Ill ;  Downton  No.  V ; 
the  Lowell  pear  ripening  in  England  as  late  as  May  ;  three 
trees  are  unknown ;  the  labels  having  been  detached  on 
the  passage.  There  is  a  moral  certainty,  however,  that 
these  are  No.  I,  II,  and  IV.  All  the  other  pears  in  Mr. 
Knight's  list  were  sent  as  scions ;  they  were  all  numbered 
by  notches  on  the  scions  clearly  distinguishable,  but  there 
were  no  scions  marked  I,  II,  and  IV.  Of  course,  the  trees 
whose  labels  were  lost,  were  these  numbers;  but  we  shall 
only  know  them  when  they  bear  fruit,  unless  Mr.  Knight 
shall  replace  them,  which  we  have  no  doubt  he  will. 
The  nectarine  trees  are  all  alive ;  so  are  the  cherries  and 
the  fig  trees,  and  the  Siberian  apple,  so  highly  praised  as  a 
cider  apple. 


20G  MR.  knight's  present  of    fruits. 

As  to  the  scions :  No.  VII,  the  one  most  highly  spoken 
of  by  Mr.  Knight,  are  growing  and  out  of  clanger.  No. 
XV.  is  also  growing  ;  so  that  of  the  pears  in  my  possession, 
eight  varieties,  entirely  new,  are  secured.  Some  others 
are  yet  fresh,  and  may  grow.  I  divided  the  scions  between 
myself  and  Gorham  Parsons,  Esq.  whose  great  accuracy, 
and  care,  recommended  him  to  me,  as  one  of  the  fittest 
persons  to  secure  the  feeble  and  unpromising  grafts.  I 
have  not  heard  what  has  been  his  success.  The  grapes, 
the  Verdelho,  and  striped  fruited  grapes,  were  cuttings  ; 
two  of  the  first,  and  one  of  the  second,  are  now  growing. 
Some  of  them  were  grafted  into  the  roots  of  other  grapes, 
and  are  also  growing. 

I  have  now  only  to  add,  that  in  July  I  shall  be  ready  to 
give  buds  to  such  as  may  ask  for  them,  till  the  stock  shall 
iiave  been  exhausted  ;  and  1  beg  it  may  be  considered, 
as  a  special  favour  to  me,  that  persons  disposed  to  take 
care  of  them,  shall  apply  for  them.  It  is  a  trust  for 
our  country,  which  I  am  anxious  to  discharge  with  the 
fidelity,  which  Mr.  Knight  expects  from  me.  He  considers 
me  as  his  agent  to  spread  these  fruits  as  widely  as  possi- 
ble, and  I  would  endeavour  to  show,  that  the  confidence 
has  not  been  misplaced. 

JOHN  LOWELL. 

Roxbury,  near  Boston,  Mass.  June  5,  1828. 


From  the  JVeiv  England  Farmer. 

The  fiicnds  of  Horlicultuie  will  be  pleased  to  lenin  that  the  following  let- 
ter was  received  by  the  last  Liverpool  and  Boston  Packet,  from  Thomas  An- 
drew Knight,  Esq. 

Doivnton,  March  6,  1828. 
John  Lowell,  Esq,.  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Dear  Sir, — Two  causes  have  prevented  your  receiving 
my  thanks  for  your  letter  of  last  autumn,  and  for  the  medal 
which  I  had  the  high  honour  to  receive  from  the  Massachu- 


MR.    knight's    present    OF    FRUITS.  207 

setts  Agricultural  Society.  At  the  period  when  the  medal 
came  into  my  hands,  an  inflammation  of  the  eyes  precluded 
the  use  of  my  pen  ;  and,  shortly  after,  my  only  son,  a  young 
man  of  whom  I  had  every  reason  to  be  proud,  was,  while 
shooting  in  my  woods,  mortally  wounded  by  one  of  his 
companions,  and  died  the  next  day.  My  life  has  since 
been,  and  I  fear  will  continue  to  be  one  of  wretched- 
ness. But  I  am  not  the  less  sensible  of  the  honour  I  re- 
ceived by  the  medal  of  the  Massachusetts  Society,  to  the 
members  of  which  1  request  you  to  present  my  warmest 
thanks.  I  send  you  a  box  of  plants,  and  grafts  of  sev- 
eral new  varieties,  of  pears  of  more  hardy  habits  than 
those  formerly  sent  you,  with  some  other  varieties  of  fruits. 
You  will  see  a  description  of  them  as  far  as  I  am  able  to 
,  give  one  in  the  Horticultural  Transactions,  I  add  a  list 
on  the  other  side,  and  also  attach  on  a  parchment  nailed 
to  the  lid  of  the  box,  anoihur  list,  so  that  you  will  know 
them  should  this  letter  miscarry.  The  Uutchess  D'Angou- 
leme  pear  is  large  and  beautiful,  but  I  do  not  think  very 
highly  of  it.  The  Gloria,  and  the  D'Aremberg  are  very 
superior  to  it.  You  have  both  the  varieties,  the  former 
sent  to  you  by  me  under  the  (then  known)  name  of  Col- 
mar  d'hyver. 

I  shall  send  a  plant  and  some  grafts  of  a  new  cider  ap- 
ple, the  Siberian  bitter-sweet,  described  in  the  Hort.  Trans- 
actions. 

Your  country  may  possibly  be  too  warm  for  it,  but  it 
will  bear  most  profusely  any  where,  and  it  yields  a  cider 
as  free  from  acid  as  the  vvines  of  any  country. 

CONTENTS    OF    THE    BOX. 

Nectarines.     Four  new  varieties — No.  1,   Downton — 2, 
Althorp — 3,  Jekworth — 4,  Imperatrice. 
P      Figs.     No.  1,  Nerii — 2,  Lee's  perpetual  bearer. 

Pears.  Four  varieties  labelled  from  the  Horticultural 
Society,  of  great  excellence.     Also, 


208  MR.  knight's  present  of  fruits. 

No.  1,  Jekworth— 2,  Althorp— 3,  Oakley  Park— 6,  Down- 
ton — 6,  Hampton  Court,  (grafts  of  another  variety  are 
mixed  with  these) — 7,  Wormsley  Grange — 9,  Garnstone — 
10,  Powis  Castle— 11,  Foxley— 13,  Burghill— 14,  Rouse- 
lench— 15,  Capel.  All  these  varieties  succeed  well  in 
Herefordshire  as  standards — all  new.  The  oris^inal  trees 
only  of  several  at  present  exist. 

Also  the  Elton  cherry,  which  failed  with  you  before ; 
one  fine  new  strawberry,  and  the  Pitmaster  scarlet  straw- 
berry. I  send  a  plant  and  cuttings  of  a  pear  which  I  have 
named  for  you,  the  Lowell  pear.  Our  climate  is  hardly 
warm  enough  for  it,  but  in  yours  I  think  it  will  prove  ex- 
cellent, and  a  very  productive  variety.  No  7,  requires  to 
be  gathered  before  it  is  quite  ripe.  It  is  in  Herefordshire 
a  variety  of  first  rate  excellence,  rivalling  the  Brown  Beurre, 
in  its  most  perfect  state.  Should  there  be  any  variety  of 
fruit  or  other  article  described  in  the  Hort.  Transactions, 
or  in  any  ivay  known  to  you  to  exist  in  this  country,  which 
you  may  wish,  or  I  can  send  to  you  and  my  American  friends, 
(for  I  venture  to  call  them  such)  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you 
that  you  will  gratify  me  by  giving  instructions  to  send 
them. — I  remain,  my  dear  sir,  sincerely  your's, 

T.  A.  KNIGHT. 

No  comment  can  be  necessary  on  this  liberal  and  most 
honourable  letter.  The  box  is  not  yet  delivered  ;  I  am 
unable  to  say,  therefore,  what  is  the  state  of  the  plants.  I 
shall  only  add,  that  the  donation  is  made  to  our  Country, 
and  as  such  I  shall,  as  I  have  ever  done,  treat  it.  Buds 
and  scions  shall  be  distributed,  as  fast  as  they  are  produced. 
No  man  need  feel  the  least  delicacy  in  asking  for  them ; 
till  they  are  exhausted,  they  will  be  annually  delivered  to 
the  first  applicants  without  favour  or  aflection. 

JOHN  LOWELL. 

Roxbury,  May  1,  1S2S. 


MASSACHUSETTS 


AGRICULTURAL  JOURNAL. 


VOL.  X.  JANUARY,  1831.  NO.  III. 

AN    ADDRESS 

Delivered  before  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture, 
at  the  Brighton  Cattle  Shotv,  October  20th,  1830.  By  John  C. 
Gray,  Esq. 

It  is  with  great  diffidence,  my  friends,  that  I  now  address 
you.  This  duty  has  hitherto  been  discharged  by  men  distin- 
guished at  once  as  theoretical  and  as  practical  farmers,  able 
not  only  to  display  in  impressive  language,  the  immense 
importance  of  Agriculture,  but  to  convey  to  their  audience 
much  valuable  practical  information.  I  cannot  pretend  to 
follow  in  their  footsteps.  My  experience  in  Agriculture  is 
comparatively  recent,  and  my  pretensions  to  the  name  of 
an  accomplished  farmer  extremely  moderate.  But  I  trust  that 
1  yield  to  none  in  my  zeal  for  the  best  interests  of  this  great 
art ;  and  having  been  requested  by  my  associates  to  make  some 
remarks  on  topics  connected  with  the  business  of  this  day,  I 
have  not  felt  at  liberty  to  refuse  so  to  do,  though  I  can  offer 
you  nothing  better  than  a  few  general  and  desultory  obser- 
vations. 

You  well  know,  my  friends,  that  Agriculture  is  the  most 
ancient  of  arts,  unless,  perhaps,  we  should  consider  the  me- 
chanic arts  as  coeval  with  it.     You  are  equally  aware,  that  in 

our  country,  at  least,  it  has  ever  been  considered  one  of  the 
1 


210  MR  gray's  address. 

most  respectable  of  human  avocations.  It  has  always  numbered 
among  its  votaries  many  of  our  most  distinguished  citizens. 
It  has  formed  either  the  chief  business  or  the  favorite  recrea- 
tion of  all,  or  almost  all,  those  whom  the  people  of  this  nation 
have  elevated  to  the  highest  office  in  their  gift,  and  your  minds 
will  naturally  revert  to  a  distinguished  instance  within  our  own 
commonwealth  of  the  zeal,  the  steadiness,  and  ability  with 
which  this  pursuit  has  been  followed,  amidst  the  successive  and 
pressing  avocations  of  the  bar,  the  bench  and  the  chair  of 
state.  But  it  is  only  within  a  short  period,  that  Agriculture  has 
held  the  rank  in  public  estimation,  and  engrossed  the  share  of 
public  attention,  due  to  its  immense  importance.  While  the 
great  interests  of  commerce  and  manufactures  have  occupied, 
at  different  periods,  much  of  the  time  and  thoughts  of  our 
national  and  state  legislators,  the  improvement  of  our  Agri- 
culture was  left  for  a  long  time  to  die  detached  efforts  of 
individuals.  The  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  was 
founded  as  early  as  the  year  1792  ;  but  for  several  years  it 
stood  alone  in  the  commonwealth,  it  received  no  patronage 
from  our  Legislature,  and  its  efforts  were  far  less  conspicuous, 
and  less  effective  than  in  later  times.  Notwithstanding  the 
number  and  respectability  of  those  who  composed  it,  it  was  in 
every  sense  of  the  word  a  private,  rather  than  a  public  associa- 
tion. It  was  not  till  nearly  ten  years  after,  that  a  second 
society  was  incorporated.  The  honor  of  introducing  into  this 
state  those  important  engines  of  Agricultural  improvement, 
Cattle  Shows —  and  a  high  honor  it  is  —  belongs  to  the  coun- 
ty of  Berkshire,  where  the  first  Cattle  Show  was  held  in  the 
year  1814.  The  first  Cattle  Show  held  at  this  place  was  in 
October,  1816.  At  present,  there  is  not  a  county  in  the  state 
without  its  Agricultural  Society,  and  its  Cattle  Show,  with  the 
exception  of  the  county  of  Norfolk,  and  of  the  four  counties 
of  Suffolk,  Barnstable,  Dukes  and  Nantucket,  which  consist, 
principally  or  wholly  of  maritime  towns. 

I  need  not  say  how  great  are  the  improvements,  which,  since 
the  establishment  of  these  societies  and  shows,  have  taken  place 


MR  gray's  address.  211 

in  every  branch  of  our  Agriculture.  To  give  a  complete  histo- 
ry of  those  improvements,  to  draw  an  exact  parallel  between 
the  Agriculture  of  Massachusetts  as  it  now  is,  and  as  it  was 
previous  to  our  last  war,  would  be,  indeed,  a  most  interesting 
task,  but  it  would  be  unsuited  to  the  narrow  limits  of  this  occa- 
sion, and  is  worthy  far  abler  hands  than  mine.  I  shall,  there- 
fore, merely  state  a  very  few  facts,  in  relation  to  one  descrip- 
tion of  improvements,  which,  while  they  are  among  the  most 
important,  are  also  the  most  obvious  to  the  general  observer; 
I  mean  the  changes  which  have  taken  place  in  our  domestic 
animah.  The  most  striking  of  these,  is  the  entire  revolution 
which  has  been  effected  in  our  swine.  A  few  years  ago  our 
state  was  disgraced  by  a  tall  raw-boned  race  of  these  animals, 
who  seemed  formed,  as  has  been  observed  by  a  great  poet,  of 
some  of  our  own  species,  merely  to  consume  the  fruits  of  the 
earth.  This  breed  bears  a  great  resemblance  to  the  Gloucester- 
shire  breed  of  Great  Britain,  which  is  supposed  by  the  best  Eng- 
lish writers  on  Agriculture,  to  have  once  prevailed  throughout 
that  island,  and  we  may  therefore  infer,  that  the  two  breeds  are 
in  fact  derived  from  the  same  source.  This  most  unprofitable 
description  of  stock  is  almost  expelled  from  the  commonwealth 
and  we  trust  will  soon  be  numbered  with  the  things  that  were. 
Its  place  is  supplied  by  animals  of  a  far  different  kind,  whose 
superiority  is  obvious  at  the  very  first  view.  But  though  we 
all  know  that  a  material  change  has  taken  place,  few  of  us  may 
be  equally  aware  of  the  profit  which  it  has  produced  to  our 
commonwealth.  This  was  estimated  by  the  most  competent 
judges  several  years  ago,  at  not  less  than  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars  per  annum,  and  is  now  probably  considerably  larger,  as 
the  change  at  that  time  was  much  less  entire  than  at  present. 

The  improvements  which  have  been  produced  of  late  years 
in  our  sheep,  by  the  introduction  of  the  Spanish  and  Saxon 
races,  will  appear  to  be  of  far  greater  consequence,  especially 
when  we  consider  the  immense  and  increasing  importance  of 
our  woollen  manufactures.  The  whole  number  of  sheep  in 
New  England  is  in  all  probability  not  less  than  3,600,000,  of 


212  MR  gray's  address. 

which  nearly  the  whole  are  either  of  the  foreign  or  mixed 
breed.  It  is  believed  by  our  most  intelligent  and  experienced 
dealers  in  wool,  that  the  value  added  to  this  product,  by  the 
introduction  of  the  above  mentioned  races,  may  be  safely  esti- 
mated on  an  average,  at  one  third  of  a  dollar  per  fleece.  Con- 
sequently New  England  has  gained  in  the  increased  value  of 
this  staple  nearly  twelve  hundred  thousand  dollars  per  annum, 
which,  to  avoid  all  danger  of  exaggeration,  I  put  down  at  one  mil- 
lion. A  million  of  dollars  added  in  a  few  years  to  the  annual 
revenue  of  New  England,  by  the  improvement  of  only  one 
branch  of  her  Agriculture  ! 

The  improvements  which  have  lately  taken  place  in  our 
horned  cattle,  may  be  less  striking  than  those  which  1  have 
already  stated.  In  the  first  place,  as  these  are  animals  of  much 
slower  growth  than  sheep  or  swine,  a  longer  course  of  years  is 
required  to  render  any  improvements  extensive  or  perceptible. 
Secondly,  the  necessity  of  improvement,  though  great,  was  less 
urgent  and  manifest  in  this  case,  than  in  those  before  mentioned. 
Our  native  breed  of  cattle,  commonly  so  called,  is  supposed 
to  be  derived  from  the  Devonshire  stock,  which  is  held  even 
now  in  high  estimation.  The  individuals  of  this  species  of  ani- 
mals brought  over  by  our  forefathers,  were  probably  among  the 
best  then  existing  in  Great  Britain.  The  first  settlers  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay,  were  in  many  instances  men  of  large  property, 
as  well  as  great  intelligence.  I  find  in  a  history  of  New  Eng- 
land written  as  early  as  the  year  1652,  a  statement  of  the  ex- 
penses incurred  by  those  settlers,  for  the  transportation  of  them- 
selves and  their  effects,  up  to  that  period.  From  this  it  appears 
that  the  transportation  only  (exclusive  of  the  price)  of  their 
domestic  animals,  cost  them  twelve  thousand  pounds  sterling. 
It  does  not  seem  probable,  that  when  called  upon  to  incur  so 
great  an  expense  for  the  mere  freight  of  animals,  they  should 
have  neglected  to  select  those  of  a  good  quality,  inasmuch  as 
any  others  could  hardly  be  worth  the  carriage.  However  this 
fact  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  we  have  long  possessed  in  this 
state  a  race  of  catde   highly  respectable,  containing  many  in- 


MR  gray's  address.  213 

dividuals  which  would  compare  advantageously  with  the  finest 
animals  of  this  description  in  any  country.  Still  I  am  warrant- 
ed by  the  opinions  of  the  best  judges  in  asserting,  that  a  marked 
and  important  improvement  has  taken  place  in  this,  as  well  as 
in  other  descriptions  of  our  domestic  animals,  since  the  intro- 
duction of  agricultural  societies  and  shows.  I  shall  not  agitate 
the  much  disputed  question,  whether  this  result  be  owing  in 
any  degree  to  the  introduction  of  fine  cattle  from  abroad.  It 
is  enough  for  my  purpose,  that  the  result  itself  is  unquestiona- 
ble, and  that  it  is  the  effect  of  an  increased  care  in  the  selec- 
tion of  animals  for  breeding.  Now  let  it  be  recollected,  that  a 
considerable  part  of  Massachusetts  is  essentially  and  unchange- 
ably a  grazing  country  —  that  beef  cattle  constitute  the  great 
staple  of  most  of  our  interior  districts,  and  form  a  large  portion 
of  the  remittances  made  by  the  country  to  the  sea  coast,  in 
exchange  for  the  articles  of  use  and  of  luxury  which  are  drawn 
from  thence.  It  appears  by  a  statement  in  the  New  England 
Farmer  in  1 828,  that  the  value  of  cattle  sold  at  Brighton,  prin- 
cipally or  wholly  for  slaughter,  in  a  little  more  than  two  months, 
amounted  to  about  f  540,000.  These  two  months  were,  it  is 
true,  the  busiest  in  the  year,  but  after  all  proper  allowance  for 
this  circumstance,  I  think  we  may  safely  estimate  the  value  of 
the  horned  cattle  sold  annually  at  Brighton,  at  a  million  and  a 
half  of  dollars.  When  we  consider,  in  addition,  the  immense 
importance  of  the  products  of  our  dairies,  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged, that  too  much  consequence  cannot  easily  be  attached  to 
the  improvement,  to  a  still  higher  degree,  of  our  breed  of  cattle, 
nor  too  much  praise  awarded  to  those  who  have  so  faithfully, 
and  thus  far  so  successfully,  devoted  their  attention  to  this  ob- 
ject. There  is  one  improvement  in  this  description  of  animals, 
which  I  notice  more  particularly,  because  I  believe  it  to  be 
peculiar  to  New  England,  and  consider  it  as  one  of  her  chief 
glories  —  I  mean  that  which  has  taken  place  in  her  working 
oxen,  whether  employed  in  draught  or  in  ploughing.  The  ox 
has  been  denominated  by  one  of  the  most  distinguished  and 
best  of  men,  Dr  Watts,  our  fellow  laborer,  and  the  appellation 


214  MR  gray's  address. 

is  as  true  as  it  is  beautiful.  Yet  how  long  was  it,  before  we 
rendered  full  justice,  to  the  merits  of  this  humble  but  powerful 
auxiliary.  His  meekness,  his  steadiness,  his  capacity  of  en- 
during severe  labor  and  subsisting  on  coarse  fare,  were  indeed 
too  striking  to  remain  concealed,  but  it  was  for  a  long  time 
supposed  that  these  good  qualities  were  in  a  great  degree  bal- 
anced by  the  extreme  tardiness  of  his  movements.  A  proper 
attention  to  his  training  has  convinced  us  how  much  this  sup- 
position was  founded  in  error,  and  we  may  nr)w  boast  a  race  of 
working  oxen,  which  for  the  despatch,  neatness,  and  efficiency 
with  which  they  perform  their  labor,  are  certainly  not  surpassed, 
and  most  probably  not  equalled  in  any  part  of  the  world.  Such, 
my  friends,  are  a  very  few  of  the  improvements  which  have 
taken  place  in  our  Agriculture,  since  the  establishment  of  our 
agricultural  societies  and  Cattle  Shows.  In  what  way  these 
societies  and  shows  have  contributed  to  these  improvements,  is 
a  point  which  has  been  so  fully  and  ably  handled  in  this  place 
on  former  occasions,  as  to  leave  little  room  for  any  farther 
illustration.  Indeed,  I  think  a  candid  mind  will  require  little 
other  proof  of  the  advantages  resulting  from  Agricultural 
Societies,  to  the  great  farming  interest  of  this  state,  than  tliat 
which  can  be  drawn  from  their  very  existence.  Twenty  years 
ago  there  was  scarcely  a  County  Society  in  this  Common- 
wealth. At  present,  these  societies  exist,  with  scarcely  an  ex- 
ception, in  all  our  farming  counties.  Whence  this  increase  ? 
Was  it  owing  to  a  sudden  impulse  of  popular  feeling  ?  No,  for 
these  societies  rose  into  being  in  gradual  succession.  Can  it 
be  ascribed  wholly  or  principally  to  the  encouragement  afforded 
by  the  commonwealth  ?  That  encouragement  is  highly  cred- 
itable to  the  liberahty  of  the  Legislature,  for  it  has  proved 
amply  sufficient  to  effect  the  desired  object,  and  has  been  uni- 
formly given  with  a  promptness,  which  evinced  that  more 
would  have  been  done,  had  more  been  necessary.  But  the 
sum  which  any  society  can  receive  annually  from  the  treasury, 
is  limited  to  an  amount  equal  to  the  revenue  derived  by  such 
society  from  its  own  funds,  and  can  in  no  case  exceed  six  hun- 


MR  gray's  address.  215 

dred  dollars.  This  bounty,  liberal  as  in  fact  it  is,  manifestly 
furnishes  of  itself  a  very  inadequate  motive  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  Agricultural  Society.  Consider  too  the  character 
of  the  people  among  whom  these  institutions  have  sprung  up. 
It  is  among  the  farmers  of  Massachusetts,  a  race  not  given  to 
change,  men  proverbially  and  wisely  cautious,  holding  on  to 
their  settled  opinions  and  habits  with  a  grasp,  which  yields  to 
nothing  but  the  force  of  cogent  reasoning.  To  what  else  then 
can  we  ascribe  the  multiplication  of  these  societies  than  to  the 
existence  among  our  intelligent  farmers,  of  a  general,  a  dehbe- 
rate,  and  may  we  not  add  a  just  conviction,  of  their  utility  ? 
There  is,  however,  one  objection  to  these  insthutions,  which 
though  it  prevails  much  less  extensively  than  formerly,  yet  still 
retains  its  hold  on  many  worthy  minds,  and  is  much  oftener  felt 
than  avowed.  It  is  said  that  Agricultural  Societies  and  Shows 
merely  furnish  an  opportunity  for  theorists  to  display  their 
fancied  discoveries,  and  that  their  existence  is  of  little  impor- 
tance or  benefit  to  the  practical  farmer.  My  friends,  no  one 
respects  more  than  I  do  the  intelligent  practical  farmer,  if  in- 
deed any  one  can  be  an  intelligent  farmer,  without  some  degree 
of  theory.  No  one  is  better  convinced,  that  more  is  often 
learned  from  a  kw  shrewd  remarks  from  such  an  individual,  or 
from  a  single  day's  observation  of  his  course  of  farming,  than 
from  volumes  of  essays,  and  hours  of  declamation  from  a  mere 
theorist  in  agriculture.  No  one  is  more  aware,  that  there  have 
been,  and  now  are  among  our  farmers,  men  gifted  with  talents 
of  the  highest  order,  which  would  have  raised  them  to  distinc- 
tion, had  such  been  their  object,  in  any  walk  of  human  industry. 
But  it  is  for  this  very  reason,  that  I  would  uphold  Agricultural 
Societies  and  Shows.  For,  let  me  ask,  what  becomes  of  the 
sterling  wisdom  of  these  practical  men  ?  Something  of  it  may 
be  communicated  to  their  children  or  their  immediate  neighbors, 
but  the  greater  part  goes  down  with  them  to  the  grave.  '  Cer- 
tain it  is,'  says  an  ancient  sage  of  the  law,  '  that  when  a  good 
lawyer  dieth,  much  learning  dieth  with  him  ;'  and  the  remark 


216  MR  gray's  address. 

will  apply  with  equal  truth  to  the  skill  and  information  of  the 
good  farmer. 

My  friends,  I  would  arrest  this  valuable  information  before  it 
passes  away.  I  would  induce  the  possessor  of  it  to  visit  our 
shows  and  contend  for  our  premiums!  I  would  have  it  com- 
municated  by  his  conversation  and  simple  statements,  to  our 
societies  and  through  them  to  the  pubhc;  I  would  have  it 
brought  into  the  great  channel  of  intelligence,  the  press,  and 
diffused  throughout  the  whole  community.  The  mere  writer 
of  agricultural  essays  has  no  need  of  societies  and  shows.  His 
facility  of  composition  enables  him  to  place  his  thoughts  on  pa- 
per in  the  solitude  of  his  library,  and  the  press  is  always  open 
to  his  effusions.  But  if  we  would  render  the  intelligence  and 
experience  of  the  true  practical  farmer  either  properly  credita- 
be  to  himself,  or  properly  beneficial  to  his  fellow-citizens,  I 
know  of  no  means  by  which  it  can  be  so  well  effected,  as  by 
those  which  I  have  mentioned. 

My  friends,  1  have  spoken  of  the  benefits  which  have  resulted 
to  the  Agriculture  of  our  state  from  the  establishment  of  Agri- 
cultural Societies  and  Cattle-Shows.  But  I  believe  we  should 
do  great  injustice  to  the  subject,  if  we  confined  our  attention  to 
this  class  of  benefits  only.  There  are  others  of  a  political  or 
rather  moral  nature,  of  no  mean  importance.  The  youngest 
of  us  may  remember  the  time,  when  this  commonwealth  was 
divided  into  political  parties  by  questions  of  the  most  momen- 
tous and  most  exciting  character  ;  when  the  contest  was  carried 
on  between  those  parties  with  tbe  activity,  the  determination 
and  fervor,  which  might  have  been  anticipated  from  their  nearly 
equal  forces,  from  the  general  intelligence  of  those  who  com- 
posed them,  and  from  the  importance  of  the  subjects  in  dispute. 
Men,  who  personally  respected  each  other,  were  ranged  on  op- 
posite sides  in  batde  array,  and  many  hard  thoughts  were  en- 
tertained, and  many  hard  words  exchanged,  which  were  deep- 
ly regretted  when  the  season  of  excitement  had  gone  by. 
These  times  have  happily  passed  away,  but  our  community  still 
is,  and  always  will  be,  divided  on  questions  less  exciting  per- 


MB  gray's  address.  217 

haps  than  those  which  once  existed  among  us,  but  still  highly 
important  and  interesting.  And  yet,  my  friends,  we  nowhere 
find  the  slightest  vestige  of  party  spirit  in  the  proceedings  of 
this,  or  of  any  Agricultnral  Society.  So  may  it  ever  be,  so  we 
may  pronounce  after  our  past  trying  experience,  will  it  ever  be. 

In  Agriculture  we  shall  ever  find  a  subject  of  harmonious  in- 
terest, and  how  consoling  is  the  thought,  that  however  we  may 
contend  elsewhere,  here  at  least  we  shall  be  at  peace  ;  that 
here  is  one  topic  which  can  divide  the  opinions  without  sever- 
ing the  friendship  of  good  men  —  one  green  spot  where  the 
demon  of  party  violence  can  never  intrude  —  one  most  inter- 
esting object  of  human  inquiry  which  we  can  investigate  and 
discuss  with  all  our  heart  and  soul,  not  only  without  forgetting, 
but  without  being  tempted  to  forget,  that  we  are  brethren. 
Yes,  my  friends,  if  ever  all  lines  of  party  division  fade  away  — 
if  we  ever  realize  that  we  are  all  of  one  blood,  nourished  at  the 
bosom  of  one  common  mother,  it  is  when  the  interests  of  Agri- 
culture are  in  question. 

But  it  is  not  political  prejudices  alone,  which  Agricultural  So- 
cieties have  tended  to  suspend  and  soften.  They  have  done 
much  to  alleviate  others  equally  dangerous  at  least  —  I  mean 
those  of  a  local  nature.  In  this  respect  more  has  perhaps  been 
effected  by  the  Massachusetts  Society,  than  by  any  other  in 
the  commonwealth,  not  from  any  superior  merit  in  its  mem- 
bers, but  simply  from  the  force  of  circumstances.  Owing  to 
the  manner  in  which  it  is  composed,  and  the  situation  of  the 
place  where  its  Shows  are  held,  it  has  served  as  a  connecting 
link  between  the  city  and  the  interior. 

To  you,  my  friends,  I  need  not  say  that  the  interests  of  these 
great  portions  of  our  community  arc  one,  and  that  any  jealousy 
on  either  side  is  as  impolitic,  as  it  is  illiberal.  I  believe  that 
tliis  important  sentiment  is  constantly  gaining  ground,  that  if 
impressions  of  an  opposite  kind  exist  anywhere,  they  are 
founded  in  misconception,  and  are  rapidly  passing  away.  This 
is  indeed  Vl  phasing  opinion,  but  it  may  be  entertained  on  far 
better  grounds.     Every  day's  observation  convinces  me  that  it 


218  MR  ghay'^j  address. 

is  not  a  grateful  error  but  a  sober  truth.  Now  what  can  better 
promote  harmonious  feelings  between  different  portions  of  the 
state ;  what  can  more  tend  to  strengthen,  diffuse,  and  perpetu- 
ate them,  than  that  friendly  interchange  of  sentiments,  upon 
subjects  of  deep  a«d  immutable  interest  to  us  all,  which  results 
necessarily  from  Agricultural  Societies  and  Shows?  He  must 
be  singularly  inexperienced  or  singularly  unobserving,  who  has 
not  seen  how  often  a  little  personal  intercourse,  or  a  word  in 
season  has  caused  the  grossest  misconceptions  and  prejudices 
to  vanish,  like  the  morning  cloud,  and  if  this  society  has  con- 
ferred any  benefits  on  the  public,  that  to  which  I  am  now  re- 
ferring is  certainly  one  of  the  greatest. 

Permit  me  now,  ray  friends,  to  submit  to  you  a  very  few 
practical  suggestions.  The  first  relates  to  insects.  These  are 
evils  to  which  our  Agriculture  is  presumed  to  be  more  expos- 
ed, than  that  of  any  portion  of  the  Old  World. 

These  animals  are  probably  bred  in  most  cases  in  our  vast 
forests,  and  as  they  are  driven  out  from  their  ancient  haunts  by 
the  progress  of  cuhivation,  descend  in  countless  armies  upon 
our  fields  and  our  gardens.  Whatever  be  their  origin,  their 
prowess  speaks  but  too  well  for  itself.  The  beautiful  and  ac- 
tive Beetle  which  attacks  the  Locust  tree,  a  tree  combining 
rapidity  of  growth,  with  hardness  of  wood  to  a  most  singular 
degree,  this  insect  I  say,  has  robbed  our  country  of  valuable 
timber  to  the  amount  of  millions  of  dollars. 

The  Borer  which  mines  into  the  solid  trunks  of  our  Apple 
trees,  and  the  Canker-worm,  which  consumes  their  foliage  like 
a  flame  of  fire,  are  equally  destructive,  within  the  circle  of  their 
ravages.  It  is  true  that  our  efforts  to  extirpate  these  minute 
but  powerful  enemies,  as  well  as  others  of  a  similar  description, 
or  even  to  check  them  to  any  considerable  degree,  have  hith- 
erto been  almost  unavailing,  but  the  object  is  one  of  the  utmost 
importance,  and  should  not  be  relinquished  till  the  greatest  re- 
search and  exertion  have  been  exhausted. 


I 


MR  gray's  address.  219 

The  next  suggestion  which  I  shall  offer,  relates  to  the  culti- , 
vation  of  delicate  fruits  and  of  ornamental  flowers.  These  are 
delicious  luxuries ;  but  in  the  first  place  they  are  innocent  and 
salutary,  and  in  the  next  they  are  within  the  reach  of  the  great 
mass  of  our  agricultural  conrimunity.  The  farmer  who  pos- 
sesses a  moderate  competency,  may  cover  his  table  and  deco- 
rate his  house  whh  fruits  and  flowers  of  the  highest  degree  of 
flavor  and  beauty,  in  a  state  of  freshness  and  perfection,  in 
which  they  are  seldom  enjoyed  by  the  most  opulent  inhabit- 
ants of  the  city.  And  all  this  with  a  small  expense  of  time 
and  exertion.  A  little  attention  in  the  right  place,  a  due  vigi- 
lance in  improving  the  fleeting  opportunities  of  time  and  sea" 
son  which  nature  offers  us,  a  proper  degree  of  minute,  but 
light  and  interesting  labor,  and  the  business  is  done.  I  should 
say  more  on  this  topic,  had  it  not  engaged  the  attention  of  a 
kindred  society,  whose  efforts,  thus  far,  have  been  crowned 
with  a  success  beyond  all  expectation. 

The  last  point  which  I  submit  to  your  consideration,  is  the 
preservation  and  culture  of  our  forest  trees.  My  friends,  in 
this  respect,  if  in  no  other,  we  have  indeed  a  goodly  heritage. 
It  is  stated  by  the  highest  authority  on  such  subjects,  F.  A- 
Michaux,  '  that  the  number  of  sorts  of  American  forest  trees, 
whose  growth  amounts  to  thirty  feet  at  least,  is  not  less  than 
one  hundred  and  thirtyseven,  of  which  ninetyfive  are  employed 
in  the  arts ;  while  in  France  there  are  only  thirtyseven  which 
grow  to  that  height,  of  which  eighteen  only  are  found  in  their 
forests,  and  seven  only  of  these  are  employed  in  civil  and  mari- 
time architecture.'  We  are  fast  consuming  these  rich  treas- 
ures of  our  woods,  and  I  fear  that  our  prodigality  will  be  fol- 
lowed at  no  distant  period  with  the  usual  consequences  of  prodi- 
,  gality  in  other  cases.  Fuel  has  already  become  scarce  in  our 
■  seaports,  a  subject  of  serious  consideration  to  those  who  reflect, 
that  the  sufferings  of  the  poor  in  this  country  are  probably 
greater  from  the  want  of  this  article,  than  from  all  other  causes 
united. 


220  MR  gray's  address. 

The  valuable  timber,  also,  on  which  we  depend  for  our  do- 
mestic architecture,  and  for  our  public  and  our  mercantile  ma- 
rine, is  rapidly  passing  away  without  any  earnest  or  extensive 
efforts  to  reproduce  it.  The  live  oak  of  our  southern  states, 
considered  the  best  material  in  the  world  for  ship-building,  will 
probably  be  entirely  swept  away  in  half  a  century,  and  our  own 
white  oak  may  follow,  after  no  very  long  interval.  Independ- 
ently, however,  of  all  considerations  of  utility,  the  culture  of 
our  finest  forest  trees  merely  as  majestic  ornaments  to  the  face 
of  our  country,  well  deserves  our  utmost  care. 

What  can  be  a  more  noble  object  for  instance,  than  one  of 
our  full  grown  American  elms,  a  tree  denominated  by  the  high 
authority  already  quoted,  '  the  most  magnificent  vegetable  pro- 
duction of  the  temperate  zone.'  Where  can  we  behold  a  more 
striking  union  of  strength  and  grace  than  in  its  massy  trunk  and 
drooping  foliage  ?  What  is  there  in  the  most  classical  speci- 
mens of  architecture  in  our  city,  beautiful  as  indeed  they  are, 
to  which  the  eye  turns  with  more  pleasure,  than  to  the  triple 
row  of  elms  which  adorns  our  Mall  ?  Who  has  ever  contem- 
plated those  solid  colonnades  and  shady  arches,  without  grate- 
ful feelings  towards  the  unknown  individual  to  whose  taste  and 
wisdom  we  owe  them  ?  Who  doubts  that  his  name,  had  he 
chosen  to  record  it,  would  have  been  far  better  perpetuated  by 
such  a  memorial  than  by  the  proudest  monument  of  brass  or 
marble. 

My  friends,  is  there  not  something  elevating  in  the  thought, 
that  we  can  thus  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  generations  yet 
unborn,  that  we  can  thus  imitate,  in  some  humble  measure,  the 
comprehensive  benevolence  of  that  Providence  which  plans, 
not  for  years,  but  for  ages. 

The  season  which  is  just  closing,  my  friends,  has  been  un- 
commonly propitious.  We  have  been  exempted  from  all  visit- 
ations of  drought,  and  have  enjoyed  a  succession  of  seasonable 
rains,  to  a  degree  seldom  experienced  in  our  bright  and  dry 
climate.     Our  fruit  trees  have  borne  with  unusual  abundance  ; 


MR  gray's  address.  221 

our  crop  of  Indian  corn  is  good,  and  that  of  potatoes  whether 
we  regard  quantity  or  quality,  uncommonly  fine.*  Above  all, 
our  grass,  a  product  of  more  importance  to  this  state  than  all 
other  products  united,  has  proved,  for  the  fourth  year  in  suc- 
cession, remarkably  luxuriant.  This  abundance  has  been  at- 
tended, as  might  have  been  expected,  by  a  diminution  in  the 
market  value  of  hay,  but  it  should  be  recollected  on  the  other 
hand,  that  our  farmers  have  been  enabled  to  retain  and  rear 
much  valuable  stock,  which  must  have  been  sacrificed  in  a  dry 
season. 

It  is  true,  that  within  the  last  two  years,  our  manufacturers 
and  merchants  have  been  visited  with  severe  trials,  and  that  our 
farmers  have  not  been  wholly  exempted  from  the  weight  of  the 
depression  under  which  the  rest  of  the  community  have  labored. 
But  such  a  complete  exemption  could  not  be  expected  in  a 
country,  where  the  great  interests  of  Agriculture,  Manufactures 
and  Commerce,  are  so  intimately  united,  as  in  ours.  It  may 
safely  be  affirmed,  however,  that  our  farmers  have  suffered  far 
less  from  the  evils  to  which  I  aUude,  than  any  other  large  or 
important  portion  of  our  people,  and  this  from  the  very  nature 
of  their  calling.  The  merchant  or  manufacturer  may  be  rob- 
bed of  the  reward  of  his  labor,  by  changes  in  the  foreign  or 
domestic  market  entirely  beyond  his  control,  and  may  wind  up 
a  year,  in  which  he  has  done  everything  which  intelligence 
and  industry  could  do  to  insure  success,  not  only  whhout  profit, 
but  with  an  actual  diminution  of  capital.  The  strong  arm  of 
mechanic  industry  may  be  enfeebled  or  paralyzed  by  the  pros- 
tration of  those  manufacturing  or  commercial  interests  to  whose 
existence  it  so  essentially  contributes,  and  on  whom  in  turn  it 
so  essentially  depends.  But  what  has  the  intelligent  and  in- 
dustrious farmer  to  fear  ?  His  capital  is  invested  in  the  solid 
ground,  he  draws  on  a  fund  which  from  time  immemorial  has 
never  failed  to  honor  all  just  demands,  his  profits  may  be  di- 
minished indeed,  but  never  wholly  suspended ;  his  success  de- 

*  I  have  since  been  informed  that  this  last  assertion  is  not  universally  cor- 
rect, and  that  in  many  places  the  crop  of  potatoes  is  deficient  in  quantity. 


222  MR  gray's  address. 

pends  on  no  mere  earthly  guarantee,  but  on  the  assurance  of 
that  great  and  beneficent  Being,  who  has  declared  that  while 
the  earth  endureth,  seed  time  and  harvest  shall  not  cease. 

I  shall  close  with  a  few  remarks  on  the  immediate  business 
of  this  meeting,  the  distribution  of  prizes.  It  is  obviously  a 
difficult  and  delicate  task,  to  decide  between  the  claims  of 
competitors  deeply  interested  in  the  result,  and  of  nearly  equal 
merits.  The  labors  of  the  trustees  in  this  part  of  their  duty, 
have  been  greatly  alleviated  on  the  present,  as  on  former  oc- 
casions, by  the  assistance  of  those  intelligent  r.;id  respectable 
individuals,  who  have  consented  to  be  associated  with  them  on 
committees.  It  has  ever  been  the  desire  and  aim  of  those 
committees  to  arrive  in  each  case  at  a  just  decision,  and  it  is 
gratifying  to  reflect,  that  their  exertions  to  this  end  have  always 
been  duly  appreciated.  Whatever  may  have  been  said,  some- 
times doubtless  with  justice,  of  their  errors,  I  am  not  aware 
that  their  impartiality  and  fairness  have  ever  been  impeached. 
We  entertain  the  fullest  confidence  that  the  decisions  now  to 
be  announced,  will  be  received  by  the  public  in  general,  and 
by  the  unsuccessful  competitors  in  particular,  in  the  same  fair 
and  liberal  spirit  which  has  been  manifested  on  all  former  oc- 
casions. 


COMMITTEES  OF  THE  BRIGHTON  SHOW. 


223 


COMMITTEES  OF  THE  BRIGHTON  SHOW. 


EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE. 

Benjamin  Guild, 
Israel  Thorndike,  Jr. 

ON    FAT    CATTLE. 

Gorham  Parsons,  Chairman, 
Col.  Bethuel  Penniman. 
Abner  Wheeler. 

COWS,  HEIFERS,  BULLS,  AND  BULL 
CALVES. 

John  Welles,  Chairman. 
Nathan  Adams,  Jr., 
Capt.  George  Smith. 

SHEEP    AND     SWINE. 

John  Heard,  Jr,  Chairman, 
Col.  Samuel  Jaques, 
Thomas  Williams. 

PLOUGHING     WITH     TWO     YOKE 
CATTLE. 

John  Prince,   Chairman. 
John  Northend, 
Ebenezer  Heath. 

PLOUGHING  WITH   ONE  YOKE 
CATTLE. 

E.  H.  Derby,  Chairman. 
Col.  Adams, 
Timothy  Corey. 

WORKING    CATTLE. 

Luke  Fiske,  Chairman. 
Gen.  Aaron  Capen, 
Samuel  Brooks. 


MARSHALS. 

Capt.  Isaac  Cook, 
Capt.  William  Prentiss, 
Col.  Wm.  H.  Spooner, 
Col.  John  Tyler. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Richard  Sullivan,  Chairman, 
Robert  Waterston, 
Joshua  Clapp. 

INVENTIONS. 

Gorham  Parsons,  Chairman, 
Daniel  Treadvvell, 
David  Moody. 

BUTTER,    CHEESE,    AND    CIDER. 

Benjamin  Guild,  Chairman, 
John  C.  Gray, 
Israel  Thorndike,  Jr, 
Isaac  P.  Davis, 
Benjamin  Pollard 

GRAIN,    VEGETABLES,    CROPS,    &C. 

Peter  C.  Brooks,  Chairman, 
William  Prescott, 
James  Jackson. 

FARMS. 

William  Prescott,  Chairman, 
Peter  C.  Brooks, 
John  Welles. 

AUCTIONEERS. 

Samuel  F.  Coolidge, 
Richard  Warren. 


OFFICIAL    REPORTS 

OF      THE       COMMITTEES       OF       THE 

MASSACHUSETTS  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY, 
AS    ANNOUNCED    AT    THEIR    ANNIVERSARY 

HELD  AT 
BRIGHTON,  OCT.  20th,  1830. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FAT  OXEN. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  award  Premiums  on  Fat  Oxen, 
have  attended  the  duty  assigned  them  and  Report  as  follows : 

To  Dexter  Fay  of  Southborough,  County  of  Worcester, 
they  award  the  first  premium  for  his  fat  ox,  six  years  old,  from 
Imported  Bull  Holderness,  weight  of  ox  2477  pounds,  ^25. 

To  Simon  Ward  of  Charlton,  County  of  Worcester,  the 
second  premium  for  one  of  his  fat  oxen  eight  years  old,  from 
Imported  Bull  Holderness ;  the  ox  to  which  the  premium  is 
awarded  has  the  most  white  on  the  back;  weight 231 2  pounds, 
#20. 

To  Asa  Rice  of  Boylston,  County  of  Worcester,  the  third 
premium  for  his  ox  seven  years  old ;  weight  2380  pounds,  #10. 

Evidence  was  produced  of  the  manner  of  feeding,  and  the 
expense  of  fatting  the  cattle,  which  was  satisfactory  to  the  com- 
mittee. 

Joseph  Estabrooks  of  Royalston,  county  of  Worcester,  en- 
tered for  exhibition  only,  a  pair  of  very  fine  and  well  fatted 
oxen,  they  were  not  raised  in  this  state,  and  therefore  not  en- 
titled to  premium  by  the  rules  of  the  society,  but  were  highly 


committee's  report  on  fat  oxen.  225 

estimated  by  the  committee,  they  were   six  years  old,  and  the 
pair  weighed  4634  pounds. 

Henry  Chapiii  of  Waltham,  entered  for  exhibition  only,  a 
pair  of  oxen  from  imported  Bull  Denton,  and  Cows  of  the 
Teeswater  or  short  horn  breed ;  they  were  very  handsome, 
fine  turned  cattle,  five  years  old,  in  prime  condition,  and  raised 
by  Theodore  Lyman,  Esq.  of  Waltham. 

Silas  Billings  of  Hatfield,  county  of  Hampshire,  entered  a 
pair  of  well  fatted  oxen  —  but  the  committee  had  but  three 
premiums  to  award. 

Samuel  Bovven  of  Adams,  county  of  Berkshire,  entered  for 
exhibition  only,  a  pair  of  handsome  well  shaped  oxen ;  and 
when  the  manner  of  feeding  on  hay  and  grass  only,  which  was 
stated  to  the  committee  were  taken  into  view,  they  were  consid- 
ered in  very  good  condition. 

Jacob  W.  Watson  of  Princeton,  county  of  Worcester,  entered 
for  exhibition  a  fat  cow,  which  attracted  attention. 

William  Winn  of  Burlington,  county  of  Middlesex,  entered 
for  exhibition  a  pair  of  twin, oxen,  Cceleb's  stock  ;  they  were 
well  formed  cattle  and  in  good  condition.  The  committee 
were  much  pleased  with  the  exhibition  of  fat  cattle,  and  think 
it  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  best  that  has  been  made  since 
the  first  establishment  of  a  Cattle  Show  in  Brighton. 
All  which  is  submitted  by 

GoRHAM  Parsons,        ^ 
Bethuel  Penniman,    y  Committee. 
Abner  Wheeler,        ) 

Brighton,  Oct.  20th,  1830. 


The  pair  of  young  oxen,  sent  by  Theodore  Lyman,  Esq. 
for  exhibition  only,  were  remarkable  for  their  fine  symmetry  and 
just  proportions. 


226  cows,  HEIFERS,  BULLS  AND  BULL  CALVES. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  COWS,  HEIFERS,  BULLS 
AND  BULL  CALVES. 

The  Committee  on  Bulls,  and  Bull  Calves,  Cows  and  Heifers, 
were  gratified  to  perceive  the  improvement  in  the  value  and 
appearance  of  the  stock  exhibited  this  year  at  the  Brighton 
Cattle  Show.  The  number  of  fine  animals,  with  the  spirit 
manifested  by  the  great  assemblage  of  Agricuhurists,  are 
pleasing  indications  of  the  improvement  which  excitement  and 
honorable  competition  will  effect. 

True  it  is  that  imported  animals  of  great  name  do  not  call 
crowds  round  a  pen  as  was  once  the  case  —  nor  are  fine  ani- 
mals so  rare  as  in  years  past. 

But  your  committee  think  that  our  discerning  farmers  will  be 
gratified  to  notice  the  advanced  grade  in  the  improvement  of 
stock. 

They  will  be  pleased  and  led  to  useful  practice  by  observing 
that  not  only  from  the  imported  breeds  of  cattle  is  an  obvious 
benefit  derived — but  their  Report  will  show  that  a  judicious 
selection  of  native  stock  is  moving  forward  in  equal  progress, 
and  to  like  advantage. 

Craving  indulgence  for  these  observations,  which  seemed  due 
to  the  occasion,  your  committee  proceed  to  announce  the 
premiums,  which  they  award  as  follows. 

BULLS. 

The  committee  award  the  first  premium  on  bulls,  to  Mr.  G. 
W.  Watson,  of  Princeton,  for  his  young  bull  one  year  and  five 
days  old.     |30. 

This  was  a  cross  from  the  imported  breed,  and  a  beautiful 
animal,  weighing  987  lbs.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  but  little  ex- 
ceeded the  age  proposed  for  bull  calves. 

But  the  committee  were  governed  by  the  letter  of  the  rules, 
and  hope  the  distinguishing  proportions  of  this  animal  may  be 
retained  as  his  figure  enlarges. 

The  second  premium  they  award  to  Mr  Peter  W.  Page, 
of  Shirley,  ^20,  for  his  bull   nineteen  months  old,  weighing 


cows,  HEIFERS,  BULLS  AND  BULL  CALVES.     227 

1160  lbs.  partly  of  the  short  horned  and  partly  of  what  is  called 
the  Westminster  breed,  so  remarkable  for  the  fleshy  hind-quar- 
ter, and  said  originally  to  have  been  of  foreign  derivation.  This 
animal  was  of  good  size,  figure  and  proportion,  and  may  be 
exported  to  reward  Mr  Page's  attention  to  stock. 

To  Mr  Asa  Rice,  of  Worcester,  the  third  premium,  .f  10, 
for  a  fine  bull  two  years  and  five  months  old,  a  cross  of  Hol- 
derncss  or  native  stock.  The  beautiful  color  and  hair  of 
Holderness,  with  many  approved  qualities  are  remarked  in  his 
descendants. 

The  committee  recommend  a  gratuity  of  ten  dollars  to  Mr 
Abraham  Washburn,  of  Bridgewater,  for  his  fine  white  bull, 
two  years  and  seven  months  old,  weighing  1498  lbs.  This  ani- 
mal was  of  large  growth,  good  figure  and  well  tempered,  with 
many  marks  of  imported  blood. 

He  was  a  cross  from  that  fine  animal  Denton.  With  the 
opinions  of  dislike  held  by  our  countrymen,  it  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  the  short  horned  stock  so  often  incline  to  this  color. 

Having  been  driven  in  a  short  time  to  the  Show,  this  animal 
appeared  to  less  advantage. 

There  were  several  bulls  exhibited  for  premium  deserving  of 
commendation. 

Mr  George  Morse,  of  Roxbury,  exhibited  one  which  excited 
the  attention  of  the  committee.  He  was  a  cross  from  Admiral 
and  a  valuable  animal. 

For  exhibidon  the  Show  was  indebted  to  Mr  Thomas  Wil- 
liams, of  Noddle's  Island  for  a  view  of  his  full  blood  bull 
Cicero,  22  months  old,  of  fine  figure  and  promise.  Col- 
Sanger  of  Sherburne,  sent  a  fine  animal  of  this  description. 

The  Show  was  in  like  manner  indebted  to  Mr  John  Perry,  of 
Sherburne,  for  a  view  of  many  of  his  high  breed. 

BULL    CALVES. 

To  Noah  Johnson,  for  his  bull  calf  six  and  a  half  months 
old,  weighing  644  lbs.  of  foreign  cross  and  good  appearance, 


228      cows,  HEIFERS,  BULLS  AND  BULL  CALVES. 

There  were  no  other  bull  calves  that  were  thought  to  deserve 
a  premium.  There  was  a  bull  calf  of  reputed  excellent  breed 
for  milk,  and  of  the  same  stock  with  Mr  Saunderson's  cow,  to 
which  was  awarded  the  first  premium. 

But  though  fair  to  view,  your  committee  did  not  feel  author- 
ized to  award  a  premium.  This  he  may  perhaps  merit 
hereafter. 

ON    MILCH    cows. 

To  Nathan  Saunderson,  of  Waltham,  the  first  premium,  f  30. 

This  cow  was  in  her  origin  of  imported  blood,  though  not 
well  explained,  6  years  old,  and  had  given  20  quarts  of  milk, 
and  for  some  months  an  average  of  18  quarts,  and  from  her 
week's  milk  14  lbs.  of  butter  had  been  made. 

To  Leander  Hosmer,  of  Bedford,  the  second  premium,  f  20. 

This  cow's  milk  made  14  lbs.  of  butter  a  week,  and  satis- 
factory evidence  was  given  of  her  being  a  very  productive  an- 
imal ;  of  native  stock. 

To  John  Ballard,  of  Framingham,  the  third  premium,      ^15. 

This  was  a  well  formed  animal,  and  of  valuable  milk  qual- 
ities. She  had  for  several  months  yielded  over  12  lbs.  of  but- 
ter a  week.     Her  stock  was  mainly  native. 

Other  fine  stock  was  exhibited  for  premium.  A  cow  of  JMr 
Aspinwall,  of  Brookline,  was  much  admired  and  deservedly  so; 
her  figure  was  beautiful,  and  her  product  might  perhaps 
have  equalled  that  of  any  other  animal  exhibited  at  the  Show; 
but  an  excessive  feed  on  apples  reduced  her  milk  soon  after 
calving.  For  some  days  she  gave  at  the  rate  of  13  lbs.  of 
butter  a  week.  She  is  said  also  to  be  in  milk  nearly  all  the 
time,  and  the  committee  doubt  not  that  under  other  circum- 
stances this  animal  may  hereafter  receive  a  high  premium. 
-  Mr  Saunderson,  Jun.  of  Wahham,  Col.  Metcalf,  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mr  Wyman,  of  Shrewsbury,  Mr  Adams,  of  Newton, 
Col.  Taylor  of  Quincy,  Mr  Bemis,  of  Waltham,  and  Mr  San- 
born, of  Charlestown,  either  for  premium  or  Exhibition  added 
to  tlie  merits  of  the  Show. 


cows,  HEIFERS,  BULLS,  AND  BULL  CALVES. 


229 


HETFERS    IN    MILK. 

The  1st  premium  to  the  Rev.  Henry  Cohnan,  of  Salem,  ^15. 

This  extraordinary  heifer  was  of  native  stock.  She  calved 
2d  of  Sept.  last,  and  had  given  at  some  time  when  measured, 
16  quarts  in  a  day.  But  it  would  seem  the  quality  of  her  milk 
must  be  superior,  for  in  ten  and  a  half  days  there  was  had 
therefrom  18^.  lbs.  of  butter,  and  at  other  times  on  trial,  14  lbs. 
of  butter  a  week.  Most  of  this  appears  by  the  certificate  of 
her  former  owner  Mr  L.  Hazelton,  Jr,  of  Haverhill. 

The  second  premium  to  Seth  Davis,  of  Newton,  for  a  native 
heifer,  28  months  old  of  great  product  and  promise. 

HEIFERS    NOT    IN    MILK. 

The  1st  premium  to  Samuel  Fisk  of  Saugus,  for  a  beautiful 
heifer  out  of  Bolivar,  $12;  her  age  was  8  months  5  days, 
weighing  584  lbs.  and  of  fine  figure. 

The  second  premium  to  Mr  William  Furness  of  Medford, 
for  his  native  heifer,  $10.  Its  age  was  7  months  and  3  days 
—  its  weight  519  lbs.  This  animal  did  justice  to  the  care 
taken  of  it,  and  promised  to  reward  it. 

To  John  Prince,  Esq.  of  Roxbury,  the  3d  premium,  for 
his  heifer,  $8.  This  handsome  heifer  was  of  the  short  horn 
breed  principally,  with  somewhat  of  the  Bakewell  and  Alder- 
ney  blood. 

To  Mr  Thomas  Williams,  for  his  heifer  from  Coelebs,  called 
Isabella,  the  4th  premium,  $6.  This  was  a  high  bred  heifer, 
and  wholly  of  imported  blood. 

There  were  many  heifers  that  were  ornamental  to  the  pens 
both  for  premium  and  exhibition. 

Hon.  Luke  Fiske,  of  Waltbam,  Stephen  Higginson,  Esq.  of 
Cambridge,  Mr  N.  Brown,  of  Waltham,  Capt.  Mackay,  of  Wes- 
ton, Mr  Watson,  of  Princeton,  Mr  Bemis,  of  Waltham,  Mr  Dud- 
ley, of  Brighton,  Mr  May,  of  Roxbury,  Mr  Phillips,  of  Lynn, 
Mr  Swift,  of  Newton,  and  Mr  Williams,  of  Noddle's  Island,  (in 


230  SHEEP  AND    SWINE. 

a  fine  heifer  from  Bolivar,)  with  others,  gave  many  good  in- 
stances of  the  improved  condition  of  our  stock. 

The  productiveness  of  the  Milk  animals  in  fact  appeared 
to  your  Committee  to  exceed  what  has  formerly  been  exhibit- 
ed. Of  the  improvement  in  the  handsome  show  of  heifers 
mention  has  been  made.  Of  the  Bull,  there  were  some  fine 
specimens ;  of  calves  there  were  few,  and  one  premium  only 
was  awarded.  This  is  not  so  much  to  be  regretted,  as  these 
animals  are  generally  so  loaded  with  fat  as  to  make  it  difiicult 
at  so  early  an  age  to  decide  on  form  or  properties. 
All  which  is  submitted. 

John  Welles,  ^ 

George  Smith,         \  Committee. 

Nathan  Adams,  Jr.  S 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  SHEEP  AND  SWINE. 

The  Committee,  who  were  appointed  to  award  premiums 
upon  Sheep  and  Swine,  have  attended  the  duty  assigned  them, 
and  request  leave  to  state  — 

That  they  proceeded  to  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  by  first 
visiting  the  pens  in  which  the  swine  were,  and  they  found  them 
well  filled ;  and  after  a  careful  and  thorough  examination  of 
their  several  points,  qualities  and  properties,  they  awarded 
To  John  Mackay  for  the  best  boar  .  .  .     $12 

"  "  "    next     "...  8 

«  «  "     best  sow  .  .  .12 

"  "  "     next     "         .  .  .  8 

"  Isaac  Bobbins  for  the  next  best  sow  .  .         5 

"  John  Mackay  for  the  best  pigs,  not  less  than  two 
in  number,  nor  less  than  four  months  old,  nor 
more  than  eight  .  .  .  .  10 

"  Isaac  Bobbins  for  the  next  best  .  .        5 


\ 


SHEEP   AND    SWINE.  231 

They  then  visited  the  sheep  pens,  and  were  much  gratified 
to  find  in  them  several  lots  of  Dishley  or  New  Leicester  breed 
of  sheep.  One  fine  ram  and  three  ewes  belonging  to  Enoch 
Silsby,  of  Boston,  of  pure  blood,  imported  from  England. 

A  buck  lamb,  six  months  old,  belonging  to  John  Prince,  of 
Roxbury,  from  the  superior  Dishley  ram  of  Col.  S.  Jaques, 
and  two  ewe  lambs  6^  months  old,  from  imported  stock. 

Two  Dishley  ewes  and  two  yearling  rams,  belonging  to 
Thomas  Williams,  of  Noddle's  Island.  They  were  from  the 
imported  ram  of  Col.  S.  Jaques,  who  obtained  the  Society's 
premium  the  last  year,  and  was  presented  this  year  for  exhibi- 
tion. The  committee  were  not  insensible  of  the  responsible 
and  delicate  situation  in  which  some  of  its  members  were 
placed  to  discharge  their  duty  satisfactorily,  but  after  a  minute 
and  close  examination  of  the  sheep,  their  form,  shape,  size,  and 
other  peculiar  properties,  they  unanimously  award 

To  Enoch  Silsby  for  the  best  Dishley  ram        .          .     $dO 
"  "  "  "         ewe  .  30 

And  it  is  with  great  pleasure  the  committee  observe  the  at- 
tention of  gentlemen  turned  in  favor  of  the  Dishley  Sheep. 
They  consider  them  an  important  and  valuable  acquisition  to 
the  country,  and  among  the  farmer's  best  stock.  They  will 
yield  more  profit  than  other  sheep  from  the  fleece,  and  their 
carcass  is  remarkably  well  calculated  for  the  market. 

There  were  two  pens  filled  v/ith  native  wethers.  One  lot 
was  owned  by  E.  T.  French,  of  Milton;  and  the  other  by  P. 
P.  Peirce,  of  Lexington.  Some  of  those  that  were  offered 
by  Mr  Peirce,  were  large  and  in  good  condition,  but  there 
were  not  a  sufficient  number  of  such  extraordinary  quality  as 
to  justify  the  committee  to  award  the  premiums. 
John  Heard,  Jr,  ^ 
Samuel  Jaq,ues,  >  Committee. 

Thomas  Williams,    ) 

Specific  character  of  the  Dishley  or  New  Leicester  breed 
of  sheep.  Heads  clean,  straight  and  broad ;  bodies  round,  or 
barrel  shaped ;  eyes  fine  and  lively ;  bones  fine  and  small, 


232  PLOUGHING    WITH    TWO    YOKE    OF    OXEN. 

pelts  thin  ;  wool  long  and  fine,  well  calculated  for  combing, 
and  weighing  upon  an  average  eight  pounds  per  fleece,  when 
killed  at  two  years  old.  Fatten  kindly  and  early,  well  calcu- 
lated for  market,  thriving  in  pastures  that  will  scarcely  keep 
other  sheep,  and  requiring  less  food  than  others.  Tolerably 
hardy  and  vigorous. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PLOUGHING  WITH  TWO 
YOKE  OF  OXEN. 

The  Committee  on  the  Ploughing  Match  with  two  Yoke 
of  Oxen,  report  — 

That  eleven  ploughs  were  duly  returned  for  this  match,  (a 
greater  number  than  were  ever  before  entered  at  Brighton,) 
that  on  calling  the  list  at  9  o'clock,  thirteen  ploughs  were  of- 
fered for  competition,  but  as  only  11  lots  were   assigned,  the 
two  last  on  the  list  were   under  the  necessity  of  retiring  from 
the  contest. 

After  a  most  careful  examination,  the  committee  unanimous- 
ly  awarded  the   first  premium  to   Abiel   Wheeler,  of  Con- 
cord .  .....  f 15 

Abiel  Wheeler,  of  Concord,  as  ploughman      8 

Jacob  Jepson,  driver  .  .  .4 

2d  premium,  Samuel  Hoar,  2d,  of  Lincoln  .  10 

"  as  ploughman  .  .      5 

Franklin  Wheeler,  driver  .  .  3 

3d  premium,  G.  M.  Barrett,  of  Concord  .  .      6 

"  as  ploughman      .  .  3 

Ira  Fisher,  driver  .  .  .      2 

^56 

The  shortest  time  occupied  by  any  team  was  30  minutes ; 

longest  time  "  "  41^      " 

Greatest  number  of  furrows  to  any  lot  was  21 

Fewest  "  u  a  17 


PLOUGHING    WITH    TWO    YOKE    OF    OXEN.  233 

except  the  lot  No.  1,  being  about  a  rod  shorter  than  the  rest 
from  the  shape  of  the  field,  required  to  be  a  little  wider,  and  23 
furrows  were  made  —  the  size  of  the  lots  were  20  rods  long 
and  20  feet  wide,  making  about  24  rods  to  each. 

Every  plough  used  was  of  Cast  Iron,  and  were  chiefly  of 
Tice's  make  (all  that  obtained  premium  were  of  his  patent ;) 
the  whole  work  was  excellently  well  performed,  and  much 
difficulty  was  experienced  in  selecting  for  the  three  premiums ; 
the  committee  would  gladly  have  had  it  in  their  power  to  have 
awarded  eleven. 

It  seems  necessary  to  give  their  reasons  for  deciding  as  they 
did,  and  the  rules  they  established  —  which  were,  that  cattle 
should  not  be  hurried,  as  goodness  of  work  was  the  object,  to 
be  ploughed  not  less  than  5^  inches  deep,  and  the  furrow  slice 
to  be  cut  narroiv,  and  laid  as  jiat  in  it  as  was  possible  — 
the  reason  of  the  committee  was  this,  that  in  this  part  of  our 
country  very  little  land  is  cultivated  in  winter  grain.)  and  the 
object  oi  fall  ploughing,  is  to  have  the  sward  rotted  for  spring 
cultivation,  which  they  think  best  effected  by  this  mode ; 
as  if  laid  on  edge,  and  so  left  till  spring,  much  grass  comes  up 
in  rows  in  the  hollow  of  the  furrows — and  on  the  flat  method 
it  is  all  equally  covered,  and  no  grass  grows. 

The  committee  well  know  that  in  England,  (and  probably 
in  our  own  country,  where  winter  grain  is  cultivated  on  sward 
land)  they  adopt  the  ridge  furrow  slice,  as  by  this  means,  in 
broadcasting  their  seed,  it  naturally  falls  into  the  lowest  part  of 
furrows,  and  then  by  harrowing,  the  seed  is  deeper  covered, 
and  comes  up  in  rows  as  they  wish,  giving  a  better  chance  for 
a  free  circulation  of  air  in  its  after  growth,  and  to  clean,  by 
hoeing  if  they  wish,  and  also  probably  some  saving  of  seed  — 
having  nearly  the  same  efiect  as  sowing  by  drill  machine. 

The  first  ploughing  match  planned  in  the  United  States,  was 

at  Brighton,  in  October,  1817.     At  that  match,  not  one  cast 

iron  mould  hoard  plough  was  in  our  vicinity,  ij  in  the  state  — 

and  at  the  present  Show  none  hut  of  cast  iron  were  in  our  matclu 

4 


234        PLOUGHING  WITH  ONE  YOKE  OF  OXEN. 

This  shows  in  the  clearest  possible  view,  the  immense  im- 
provement that  our  Cattle  Shows,  and  particularly  the  ploughing 
matches,  have  produced  in  this  most  important  Agricultural 
Implement. 

Respectfully  submitted  by 

John  Prince,         ^ 
Eben.  Heath,         >   Committee. 
*         John  Northend,   S 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PLOUGHING  WITH  ONE 
YOKE  OF  OXEN. 

The  Committee,  consisting  of  E.  Hersey  Derby,  Daniel 
Adams,  and  Timothy  Corey,  to  whom  was  assigned  the 
Ploughing  Match  vnth  one  Yoke  of  Cattle,  Report  — 

That  the  land  to  be  ploughed  was  divided  into  lots  of  about 
24  rods  each. 

There  were  eleven  competitors  for  the  premiums.  The 
ploughs  generally  of  the  improved  kinds,  and  four  of  them 
were  without  drivers. 

As  the  principal  object  of  the  ploughing  match  was  to  show 
good  work,  and  skill  in  the  ploughmen,  they  were  particularly 
directed  not  to  hurry  their  cattle,  —  shortness  of  time  being 
no  object  in  comparison  with  good  work,  —  that  attention  would 
also  be  paid  to  the  appearance,  and  docility  of  the  cattle,  and 
the  management  of  the  driver.  The  ploughing  to  be  not  less 
than  five  inches  deep,  and  that  narrow  furrows,  laid  lapping  on 
each  other,  would  be  preferred  to  wide  and  flat  ones. 

Under  these  regulations,  the  first  lot  was  ploughed  in  33, 
and  the  last  in  46  minutes. 

The  committee  state  with  great  pleasure,  that  the  work  in 
every  instance  was  of  a  superior  order ;  that  there  was  so 
little  difference  in  most  of  it,  they  found  it  extremely  difficult 
to  decide  to  whom  they  should  award  the  premiums. 
After  great  deliberation,  they  award  as  follows  : 


ON    WORKING    OXEN.  235 

1st  premium,  to  Moses  Whitney,  of    Stow     .       ^15 

G.  P.  Meriam,  as  ploughman  .        8 
Moses  Whitney,  as  driver  4 


^27  00 


2d  premium,  to  Otis  Meriam,  of  Concord,  aged  17,     f  1 0 

Same  as  ploughman    .     5 

Abel  Meriam,  aged  n ,  as  driver     .      3 


|18  00 


3d  premium,  to  John  Tilden,  Jr,  of  N.  Bridgevvater    ^6 

E.  Dunbar,  aged  18,  as  ploughman       3 

Same  as  driver       2 


$11  00 
E.  Hersey  Derby,  Chairman. 
Brighton,  Oct.  20,  1830. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  WORKING  OXEN. 

The  Committee  on  Working  Cattle,  consisting  of  Messrs 
Luke  Fiske,  Aaron  Capen,  and  Samuel  Brooks,  having 
attended  to  the  duty  assigned  them,  ask  leave  to  report. 

Twenty  yoke  of  Cattle  were  regularly  entered  for  the  Soci- 
ety's premiums,  and  they  did  much  credit  to  the  farmers  who 
offered  them. 

The  committee  after  trial  of  their  power  and  training,  and  a 
comparison  in  reference  to  age,  strength,  form,  equality  of 
match,  and  other  general  properties,  were  unanimous  in  their 
awards  as  follows:  — 

To  Benjamin  Woodbury  of  Sutton,  his  cattle  four 
years  old,  first  premium,  ....         ^25  00 

To  Leonard  Woodbury  of  Sutton,  his  cattle  four 
years  old,  second  premium,        .         .         .         .         20  00 


236  ON    INVENTIONS. 

To  Luther  Whiting  of  Sutton,  his  cattle  four  years 
old,  third  premium,  .  .  •  ^15  00 

To  George  M.  Barrett,  of  Concord,  his  cattle  four 
years  old,  fourth  premium,      .  .          .         .  12  00 

To  Henry  Barrett,  of  Concord,  his  cattle  four  years 
old,  fifth  premium,  .         .         .  .         .  8  00 

Many  other  cattle  were  very  deserving  and  performed  well, 
and  in  other  years  would  have  obtained  premiums ;  but  the 
superiority  of  the  Show,  in  this  respect,  over  former  years,  ex- 
cluded them. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Per  Order,  Luke  Fiske,    Chairman. 

Brighton,  Oct.  20,  1830. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  USEFUL  INVENTIONS. 

The  Committee  on  Useful  Inventions  report  — 

That  Mr  Hale  of  New  York,  by  J.  R.  Newell,  entered  for 
premium  Hale's  Patent  Pump. — This  pump  is  of  continuous 
rotatory  action,  the  power  being  applied  to  a  crank.  This  very 
compact  hydraulic  machine  combines  the  actions  of  the  sucking 
and  forcing  pumps;  and  is  even  capable  of  throwing  water 
effectively  as  a  fire-engine ;  the  arrangement  and  action  of  the 
valves  is  original  and  highly  ingenious ;  the  committee,  however 
forbear  attempting  a  description  of  these,  as  they  could  not  be 
made  intelligible  without  drawings.  Perhaps  the  cost  of  this 
pump,  compared  with  that  of  the  ordinary  construction,  will  ren- 
der its  application  in  some  degree  limited  ;  yet  the  committee 
have  no  hesitation  in  expressing  an  opinion,  that  it  is  superior 
to  any  rotatory  pump  heretofore  constructed.  As  this  invention 
was  not  made  within  this  commonwealth,  and  moreover  the  in- 
ventor has  omitted  to  furnish  certificates  of  its  actual  use,  the 
Committee  are  restrained  by  the  regulations  of  the  Society 
from  awarding  a  premium  which  in  their  opinion  it  deserves. 


ON    INVENTIONS.  237 

John  and  Horace  M.  Pool,  of  Easton,  County  of  Bristol,  en- 
tered for  premium,  several  Geometrical  Protractors,  of  a  new 
construction,  by  which  lines  may  be  drawn  with  great  facility 
and  at  any  required  angle  to  the  side  of  the  tablet  or  drawing 
board,  wbich  in  this  case  forms  a  base  line  ;  it  is  therefore  a 
most  convenient  instrument  in  forming  plans  of  surveys,  an  op- 
eration of  primary  importance  to  the  farmer,  considering  the 
simplicity  of  the  instrument,  and  the  ease  with  which  it  may  be 
applied,  the  committee  award  to  the  Messrs  Pool,  a  premium 
of     $15  00. 

The  same  gentlemen,  the  Messrs  Pool,  presented  for  exhibi- 
tion, two  steel  Drafting  Scales  and  a  Drafting  Square,  the  work- 
manship of  which  was  executed  in  the  best  manner  and  equal 
to  imported  articles  of  the  kind. 

Amasa  Dunbar  of  Sharon,  County  of  Norfolk,  entered  for 
premium  a  machine  for  forming  Boot  Fronts  ;  good  certificates 
of  its  having  been  tried  and  found  useful  were  produced  ;  the 
workmanship  was  well  executed,  and  it  did  not  appear  compli- 
cated or  likely  to  get  out  of  order  ;  but  in  the  opinion  of  the 
committee,  was  calculated  for  large  establishments,  and  too 
costly  for  general  use  —  and  they  do  not  award  a  premium. 

Joseph  Hutchinson  of  Dorchester,  entered  a  Dash  Churn 
for  premium,  but  it  did  not  appear  to  the  Committee  to  be  any 
improvement  on  the  common  churn  in  general  use,  and  do  not 
award  a  premium. 

Daniel  Chandler"  of  Lexington,  County  of  Middlesex,  en- 
tered for  premium  a  Double  Harrow,  and  produced  a  certificate 
of  its  having  been  used  and  approved  for  harrowing  among 
trees,  on  rocky  and  uneven  ground,  and  operating  in  sharp  hol- 
lows or  valleys,  when  the  two  sides  would  rise,  and  permit  all 
the  teeth  to  come  in  contact  whh  the  earth ;  the  workmanship 
was  good ;  it  was  made  in  the  common  heater  shape,  in  two 
parts,  divided  longitudinally,  and  hung  with  two  strong  hinges  in 
the  centre,  for  the  purpose  of  turning  up  one  half  and  placing 


238  ON    INVENTIONS. 

it  on  the  other,  by  which  means  it  is  made  fit  to  pass  in  narrow 
places,  between  trees,  stumps  and  rocks. — When  turned  up  or 
doubled  over,  one  half  the  teeth  are  not  in  use.  The  commit- 
tee were  of  opinion  that  strong  handles  like  those  of  a  plough, 
passing  through  the  hind  bar  of  the  harrow,  braced  in  the  same 
manner  as  plough  handles,  answer  all  the  purposes  of  Mr  Chan- 
dler's harrow  ;  with  the  handles  a  person  could  raise  up  either 
side  of  the  harrow  —  raise  or  depress  either  end,  and  make  the 
whole  harrow  bear  on  small  uneven  spots  of  earth,  light  it  up  if 
the  teeth  came  in  contact  with  a  root  or  fast  stone,  and  gene- 
rally give  a  smoother  and  better  pulverized  surface  to  a  field. 
In  harrowing  in  seed  the  advantage  of  handles  must  be  obvi- 
ous to  every  farmer  that  makes  use  of  them,  or  that  sees  them 
used  ;  the  double  harrow  has  been  in  use  in  England  for  many 
years ;  hardly  a  book  on  Agricultural  Implements,  but  what 
contains  plates  of  them,  not  precisely  of  the  shape  of  Mr  Chan- 
dler's harrow,  not  however  varying  materially.  It  can  be  used, 
tlie  two  harrows  together,  or  separate ;  and  when  separated, 
being  lighter,  make  two  teams ;  they  are  readily  put  together 
and  as  readily  detached.  Therefore  the  committee  do  not 
award  a  premium. 

The  preceding  entries  were  all  made  in  season,  agreeably  to 
the  rules  of  the  Society,  and  a  list  containing  those  entries  only 
handed  the  committee  by  the  secretary,  at  the  time  of  their 
meeting  on  the  19th,  to  make  the  examination.  The  next 
day  the  committee  found  other  articles  had  been  entered 
and  placed  in  the  Society's  rooms  on  that  day  ;  viz.  —  a 
Washing  Machine,  by  Mr  Shepherd  of  Watertown;  three 
Ploughs,  by  Mr  Prouty  of  Hanover,  County  of  Plymouth,  who 
appears  to  be  only  the  manufacturer  of  the  iron  work ;  his  cer- 
tificate, which  has  many  respectable  signatures,  mentioning  its 
having  been,  used  and  approved,  has,  in  the  printed  caption, 
Hitchcock's  Patent  Ploughs,  manufactured  by  D.  Prouty.  No 
application  by  the  inventor,  so  that  no  question  as  to  premium 
could  have  arisen,  as  regards  this  entry.  A  Double  Plough, 
with  two  moulds  of  iron  and  two  shares,  two  sharp  lips  behind, 


ON    INVENTIONS.  239" 

on  bottom  of  moulds,  said  to  be  made  for  ploughing  between 
corn,  but  no  person  appeared  to  explain  to  the  committee. 

Messrs  Nourse  h  Co.  of  Sherburne,  introduced  four  Ploughs, 
but  the  committee  could  not  perceive  any  new  improvements 
in  their  construction.  Their  certificate  stated  they  had  been 
used  and  highly  approved. 

Dr  Andrew  Nichols,  of  Danvers,  county  of  Essex,  presented 
two  cast  iron  Harrow  Teeth,  of  a  new  form  differing  from  any 
harrow  teeth  in  common  use.  In  a  letter  to  the  Trustees,  of 
the  19th,  he  gives  a  particular  description  of  these  teeth;  the 
superiority  over  any  other  in  use,  with  a  certificate  from  a 
person  that  had  used  a  harrow  with  his  cast  iron  teeth,  and  ap- 
proved of  it  highly.  The  committee  will  request  the  Trustees 
to  publish  Dr  Nichols'  letter  to  them  in  the  New  England  Far- 
mer, and  to  cause  one  of  his  harrow  teeth  to  be  deposited  in  the 
Agricultural  Warehouse,  under  the  same  roof  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Farmer  Office,  for  public  inspection  ;  but  perhaps  it  may 
be  well  for  the  committee  to  observe  that  the  entry  made  by 
Dr  Nichols,  for  premium,  is  for  his  improved  harrow  teeth,  of 
cast  iron.  The  distance  of  most  farmers  from  iron  found- 
ries, the  difficulty  of  renewing  the  teeth  when  broken,  the  loss 
of  time  in  replacing  them,  and  the  probable  expense  that  would 
attach,  would  have  prevented  the  committee  from  awarding  a 
premium,  had  the  regulation  prescribed  for  making  the  entry, 
been  strictly  complied  with.  All  which  is  submitted  by. 
GoRHAM  Parsons,  ^ 
Daniel  Treadwell,  >  Committee. 
David  Moody.  ) 

Brighton,  Oct.  20,  1830. 

The  following  is  Dr  JVichols^  letter  alluded  to  above. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  Believing  that  the  harrow  might  be  greatly 
improved  without  any  increase  of  expense,  I  last  spring  formed 
a  model,  and  had  a  set  of  teeth  cast  at  the  Danvers  Foundry 


240  ON    INVENTIONS. 

which  were  immediately  set  in  a  frame  and  put  in  use  on  my 
farm  in  Middleton.  They  fully  answered  my  expectations  in 
everything  but  strength,  being  cast  of  hard  brittle  iron,  and  too 
slender  in  that  part  where  the  greatest  strength  is  required,  to 
wit,  the  part  nearest  the  stock,  which  is  not  supported  by  it. 
Several  of  them  were  broken  among  large  roots  and  fixed 
rocks.  I  then  altered  the  model  and  had  teeth  cast  of  softer 
and  stronger  iron,  (Scotch  iron)  such  as  are  herewith  ex- 
hibited 5  none  of  these  have  been  broken.  The  projection 
from  behind  the  point  of  the  tooth  is  designed  to  receive  a  brace, 
should  the  strength  prove  insufficient  without  one.  I  have  not 
however  found  it  necessary  to  brace  the  teeth  of  my  harrow. 
The  notch  near  the  top  is  designed  to  secure  the  tooth  in  the 
frame  by  a  pin,  which  together  with  a  wedge  driven  in  behind, 
filling  the  trough  of  the  tooth,  readily  secures  it,  and  at  the 
same  time  leaves  it  in  a  situation  to  be  easily  taken  out  and  set 
in  a  smaller  frame  for  harrowing  among  corn,  &£C.  With  the 
form  exhibited  I  am  well  satisfied,  believing  it  combines  a  good 
degree  of  strength  with  a  saving  of  metal.  But  very  possibly 
it  may  still  be  improved,  and  as  no  patent  will  be  taken  out  for 
it,  every  farmer  will  be  at  liberty  to  have  it  formed  to  suit  him- 
self. Each  tooth,  at  seven  cents  per  pound,  costs  about  30 
cents,  —  each  tooth  moves  five  inches  of  earth. ,  Eleven  teeth 
forms  my  harrow,  which  moves  and  pulverizes  very  completely 
a  strip  of  land  55  inches  wide  ;  ^3,30  the  cost  of  the  teeth, 
which  is  I  think  much  less  than  the  cost  of  the  common  teeth 
for  a  harrow  of  this  size. 

I  think  it  not  extravagant  to  say  that  with  the  same  ox  or 
horse  power,  most  tillage  land  may  be  benefited  twice  as  much 
as  it  can  be  by  the  use  of  the  common  harrow  in  the  same 
time,  "and  that  should  even  one  tooth  on  an  average  be  broken 
daily,  it  would  still  be  the  most  economical  harrow  in  use.  In 
such  a  result,  however,  w4iich  is  not  to  be  apprehended,  it 
would  be  cheaper  to  make  them  of  wrought  iron. 
Yours  respectfully, 

Andrew  Nichols. 

Danvers,Oct.  19,  1830. 


ON    BUTTER,    CHEESE   AND    CIDER.  241 

REPORT   OF   THE    COMMITTEE    ON   BUTTER,  CHEESE     AND 

CIDER. 

The  Committee  on  Butter,  Cheese  and  Cider  at  the  Brighton 
Show  respectfully  Report  — 

That  the  only  articles  offered  to  them  for  premiums  were 
Butter  and  Cheese.  That  of  the  several  entries,  more  than  one 
half  would  not  he  considered  Butter  of  uncommon  excellence, 
either  in  flavor,  the  perfectness  with  which  it  was  made,  or  the 
neatness  with  which  it  was  put  up  ;  it  might  be  termed  very 
good  butter,  and  a  fair  sample  of  what  the  owners  send  weekly  to 
market ;  there  were  a  few  boxes  of  excellent  flavor,  pure,  hard, 
and  clean  in  appearance,  and  packed  with  great  nicety  and  care. 

The  1st  premium,  is  awarded  to  Michael   Crosby, 

of  Bedford,  .  .  .  .  |15  00 

2d          do.  to  Nahum  Hardy,  Waltham,        10  00 

3d         do.  to    Luther   Chamberlain,    of 

Westborough,  .  .  .  .  7  00 

4th  do.  to  Adam  Fay,  ,  5  00 

The  Committee  would  be  very  happy  (if  occasion  were 
given)  to  congratulate  the  community  on  the  improvements  in 
the  art  of  making  Butter  and  Cheese  :  but  in  truth  for  the  last 
few  years,  the  Cheese  has  been  rarely  capable  of  sustaining  a 
premium,  and  the  butter  of  no  remarkable  or  uncommon  excel- 
lence ;  nothing  better  than  what  every  farm  in  the  common- 
wealth might  and  ought  to  produce,  and  where  there  is,  as  in 
many  places  there  may  be,  a  well  constructed  dairy  room,  pu- 
rified by  a  running  stream,  stock  selected  for  rich  milk,  sweet 
pastures,  clean  and  thorough  milkers,  and  makers,  butter  might 
be  offered  far  surpassing  in  sweetness  and  richness  any  to  which 
the  premium  is  given.  If  the  farm  ofier  no  particular  advan- 
tage for  a  dairy,  great  attention  in  scalding  and  purifying  every 
vessel  and  article  used  as  well  as  great  care,  that  the  cream 
be  not  kept  too  long,  and  that  no  buttermilk  remain,  would 
add  many  thousands  of  dollars  income  to  the  venders,  and  in- 
crease the  consumption  by  gratifying  the  taste  and  promoting 
the  health  of  the  purchaser.      Much  credit  is  duo  to  Mr  Bemis 


242  ON    MANUFACTURES. 

of  Watertown,  for  his  exhibition  of  a  jar  of  butter  made  in  the 
summer  of  1829,  perfectly  sweet  and  of  good  flavor. 

The  premiums  on  old  Cheese  are  awarded  :  — 
The  1st  to  Elisha  Matthews,  .  .         .  |10  00 

The  2d  to  Job  Ranger,  ....  5  00 

On  new  Cheese. 
The  1st  to  Hooper  Holland,         .         .         .         .         10  00 
The  2d  to  Samuel  Denny,        ....  5  00 

AH  the  cheese  offered  was,  with  two  exceptions,  from  New 
Braintree  and  Barre  ;  and  from  those  excellent  grazing  town- 
ships we  are  almost  always  indebted  for  the  display  of  cheeses ; 
some  of  them  were  certainly  very  good,  but  not  of  such  uncom- 
mon excellence  as  to  deserve  higher  commendation  than  re- 
ceiving the  premiums. 

The  sage  cheese  of  Capt.  David  Lee,  offered  only  for  exhi- 
bition, was  very  excellent  of  its  kind. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Benj.  Guild,  "| 

J.  C.  Gray,  | 

I.  Thorndike,  Jr.  ^  Committee. 

I.  P.  Davis,  | 

Benj.  Pollard.      J 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  for  the  credit  of  those  to  whom 
premiums  have  been  given,  that  as  most  of  the  butter  entered 
for  premium  at  Brighton,  is  afterwards  sent  to  Boston  market, 
and  sold  as  Brighton  butter,  purchasers  are  apt  to  think 
Brighton  and  premium  one  and  the  same,  though  they  are  by 
no  means  convertible  terms. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  MANUFACTURES. 

The  Cornmittee  on  Manufactures  report  — 

That  none  of  the  premiums  offered  have  been  claimed. 
The  woollen  and  cotton  fabrics,  of  prime  necessity,  being  now 
well   established   and   sufficiently  encouraged  by  the  market 


ON  MANUFACTURES.  243 

prices,  the  Trustees  considered  it  the  best  policy  for  the  coun- 
try to  confine  the  premiums  to  such  branches  of  the  manufac- 
tures, as  are  about  being  connnenced  in  the  country  or  to  such 
branches  as  are  yet  in  an  infant  state. 

The  exhibition  presented  a  variety  of  beautiful  fabrics,  prin- 
cipally articles  of  taste,  wrought  by  females.  The  committee 
have  selected  such  as  they  thought  entitled  to  particular  notice, 
for  ingenuity  or  excellence,  and  recommend  the  allowance  of 
gratuities  to  those  who  presented  them,  as  follows  :  — 

To  Mary  Fairbrother  of  East  Sudbury,  for  the  best 
specimen  of  brown  linen  thread  ...         .^2  00 

To  Mrs  Samuel  Denny,  for  two  linen  table  cloths  and 
two  pairs  of  socks  .  .  .  .  5  00 

To  Jonas  Munro  for  linen  Diaper         .  .  2  00 

To  Aurelia  White   of  New  Braintree,  for  a  straw 
bonnet  .  .  .         .  .  .  2  00 

To  John  Hunter,  for  rose  blankets      .         .  5  00 

To  Catherine  E.  Cook  of  Brighton,  (aged  12  years) 
for  a  white  lace  veil  .  .  .  .  .3  00 

To  Sophia  M'Farlane  of  Lowell,  (aged  12  years)  for 
white  lace  veil  .....  2  00 

To    Louisa  W.  Chamberlain    of  Cambridge   for  a 
black  lace  veil 2  00 

To  Adeline  Marsh  of  Sutton,  for  woollen  socks  1  00 

To  Deborah  Walker  of  Barre,  for  palm  leaf  hats  2  00 

To  Eliakim  Morse  of  Medfield,  for  diamond  plat  bon- 
nets, a  new  article  deserving  particular  encouragement,      5  00 

To  S.U.  Lovett  of  Beverly,  for  a  woollen  hearth  rug    3  00 

To  William  Cobb,  for    a  diamond  plat  bonnet  and 
one  of  English  straw  .         .  •         .  •         7  00 

A  specimen  of  broadcloth  exhibited  by  Mr  Shepherd  of 
Watertown,  made  from  common  wool,  was  thought  to  be  a 
very  good  quahty  of  low  priced  cloth. 

A  great  number  of  articles  entered,  after  the  time  allowed  to 
the  committee  for  examination,  they  have  unavoidably  omitted 
to  notice.      These  have,  however,  been  entered  for  public  in- 


244  ON    BUTTER. 

spection,  with  labels  designating  the  persons  who  presented 
them,  and  have  had  the  commendation  to  which  they  were 
respectively  entitled  from  a  numerous  company  of  discern- 
ing visiters. 

Richard  Sullivan,     ^ 

Robert  Watehston,  >  Committee. 

Joshua  Clapp,  ) 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  BUTTER. 

The  Committee  rejaort  for  the  gratification  of  those  who 
contributed  to  raise  the  fund  to  be  given  for  a  premium  to  the 
best  butter,  that  in  collecting  a  number  of  competitors  and 
many  of  them  from  distant  states,  one  object,  at  least,  seems 
answered.  This  offer  also  brings  to  the  market  a  large  quan- 
ti  tyof  butter,  which,  in  being  made  for  the  premium,  seems  to 
assure  the  purchaser  that  the  owners  had  exerted  their  highest 
skill,  and  had  bestowed  their  best  attention  in  the  making  and 
laying  down  what  they  considered  worthy  of  so  large  a  pre- 
mium. The  Committee  award  without  hesitation,  and  with 
perfect  unanimity,  the  first  premium  of  ojie  hundred  dollars  to 
Mr  Henry  Sprague,  of  Charlton,  Worcester  County,  (Mass.) 
for  six  kegs  of  butter,  with  flat  hoops  ;  and  they  award  with 
equal  imanimity,  though  with  more  hesitation,  the  second  pre- 
mium of  Jiffy  dollars  to  IVIr  Moses  Newell  of  West  Newbury, 
(Mass.)  Several  other  entries  were  so  near  in  quality  to  Mr 
Newell's  that  it  required  more  comparison  and  deliberation 
before  deciding  upon  this  premium,  than  was  requishe  in 
awarding  the  first.  The  butter  of  Mr  Newell,  though  in  only 
four  tubs,  was  still  decidedly  difTerent  in  each,  particularly  in 
the  quantity  of  salt  used.  The  inequality  of  several  jars  or 
kegs  of  many  of  the  entries  made  the  task  of  deciding  difficult, 
—  some  butter,  to  which  no  premium  was  given,  might  proba- 
bly have  been  selected  better  than  Mr  Newell's,  but  the  adjoin- 
ing keg  of  the  same  entry  would  neutralize  its  excellence  as  a 
lot.     Mr  Tuttle,  of  Westminster,  Vt.  had  his  butter  laid  down 


ON    BUTTER.  245 

in  a  mode  new  to  the  Committee  ;  it  was  packed  in  neat  soap 
stone  boxes,  which  were  of  clean  appearance,  and  apparently 
calculated  to  preserve  a  uniform  temperature,  though  they  may 
not  be  so  entirely  secure  at  the  cover,  as  wooden  boxes; 
whether  they  be  a  real  improvement  can  be  ascertained  only 
by  experience.  There  were,  in  the  whole,  thirtyfive  entries 
for  the  premium,  from  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  New  Hamp- 
shire, Massachusetts,  Vermont,  and  Maine.  The  butter,  for 
the  most  part,  was  well  made  and  clean  in  its  appearance,  and 
made  with  different  objects,  some  of  it  being  for  present  use, 
and  some  with  a  more  particular  view  to  its  perfect  preserva- 
tion for  a  great  length  of  time.  One  parcel,  which  was  very 
sweet,  though  somewhat  salt,  was  made  by  the  owner  '  for  the 
use  of  the  fishermen  to  take  on  their  voyages  next  season.'  It 
will  probably  retain  its  excellence,  and  though  a  premium  for 
butter  intended  to  be  used  one  year  from  the  time  it  is  made, 
would  be  highly  useful,  and  give  excellent  butter  to  the  navy 
and  shipping,  the  commhtee  considered  this  premium,  as  in- 
tended for  the  best  market  butter  for  winter  consumption,  with- 
out any  reference  to  the  economical  arrangement  of  his  dairy, 
the  food  of  the  cows,  or  even  the  stock.  Dr  Warren,  who  had 
imported  some  butter  from  Montreal,  (Lower  Canada,)  was 
kind  enough  to  send  it  to  the  Hall  for  exhibition  ;  and  it  was 
certainly  very  excellent,  not  superior,  however,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Committee,  to  that  to  which  the  premiums  are  awarded. 
One  entry  from  Pennsylvania,  and  one  from  New  York  were 
made,  but  the  state  of  the  winds  and  weather  unfortunately 
prevented  the  arrival  of  the  butter,  wWch  the  Committee  the 
more  regret,  as  those  states  are  so  jnstJy  celebrated  for  their 
success  in  this  department  of  agriculture. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

Benj.  Guild,         ^ 

J.  C.  Gray, 

I.  Thorndike,  Jr,  J>  Committee. 

I.  P.  Davis,  j 

Benj.  Pollard.     J 


246 


ON    BUTTER. 


We  have  subjoined  an  account  of  the  different  entries,nnm- 
bered  as  entered,  the  quantity,  and  the  prices  they  brought  at 
auction.     Some  of  the  lots  were  disposed  of  at  private  sale. 


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ON   BUTTER.  247 

We  have  subjoined  a  few  notes  taken  from  the  written  ac- 
counts which  generally  accompanied  the  several  lots  of  Butter. 

No.  5. —  Mr  Newell's  butter,  which  took  the  second  premi- 
um ofjifty  dollars,  was  made  from  the  cream  of  14  cows,  since 
September  25th  —  there  were  about  80  lbs.  more  made  of  simi- 
lar quality,  which  was  not  entered.  The  cows  had  common 
grass  feed  only.  The  butter  was  packed  in  old  firkins,  (which 
are  considered  better  than  new  ones)  in  layers  of  about  two  or 
three  inches  deep,  with  a  sprinkling  of  fine  salt  between  each 
layer.  The  butter  is  thus  more  easily  taken  up  as  wanted  for 
use. 

No.  11.  —  Mr  Weeks'  butter  was  made  from  Aug.  to  Oc- 
tober. Mr  W.  has  the  morning's  milk  skimmed  in  12  hours, 
the  evening's  in  24  hours  from  the  time  it  is  taken  from  the 
cow ;  the  cream  is  churned  every  other  day ;  the  butter  salted 
with  Liverpool,  ground ;  laid  down  solid  ;  nothing  added,  ex- 
cept a  little  brine  :  a  waxed  bag  was  fixed  between  the  butter 
and  the  wood. 

No.  12.  —  Mr  Crosby's  mode  of  making  is  by  skimming  the 
milk  while  perfectly  sweet,  churning  soon,  not  waiting  for 
large  churnings;  when  the  butter  has  come,  he  turns  off  the 
buttermilk,  and  then  churns  the  butter  again,  in  order  to  beat 
out  the  buttermilk  well,  without  the  warmth  of  the  hand :  in 
each  of  the  two  successive  days,  he  works  it  over  thoroughly 
and  then  packs  it  down  in  tubs  previously  soaked  with  brine 
made  clean  by  boiling  and  skimming.  Mr  Crosby  has  repeat- 
edly taken  the  premium  for  the  best  butter  exhibited  at  the 
Brighton  and  Concord  Cattle  Shows. 

No.  17.  —  Mr  Prince's  butter  was  made  at  his  farm  on  Me- 
rino Island  in  Winnipiseogee  Lake,  N.  H.  It  was  made  be- 
tween the  10th  of  August  and  19th  of  November,  from  cows 
mostly  of  the  Alderney  breed.  His  pastures  are  newly  cleared 
land  :  though  his  cows  have  been  freely  fed  with  pumpkins. 
His  dairy  room  is  neat  and  convenient,  and  attached  alongside 
of  an  ice  house.     The  butter  as  soon  as  packed  is  put  into  the 


248  ON    BUTTER. 

ice  house.  Less  than  the  usual  quantity  of  sah  is  used ;  no 
coloring  ;  but  a  small  quantity  of  saltpetre  and  loaf  sugar  is 
added. 

No.  24.  —  Mr  Eager's  butter  was  made  from  17  cows, 
since  the  1 5th  of  September.  The  cream  was  gathered  in 
seven  weeks,  from  the  milk,  after  sitting  from  4  to  6  meals, 
which  was  varied  according  to  the  state  of  the  weather,  so  that 
the  cream  might  always  be  perfectly  sweet.  It  was  immedi- 
ately churned  after  being  skimmed  ;  and  from  5  to  6  lbs.  pure 
fine  salt  put  into  100  lbs.  of  butter,  which  was  the  only  ingre- 
dient made  use'of. 

No.  28.  —  Mr  Brigham's, butter  was  put  down  before  the 
25th  of  November,  and  intended  for  fishermen  to  take  out  to 
sea  the  next  season.  It  was  prepared  with  salt,  saltpetre,  and 
sugar,  which  has  for  a  number  of  years  enabled  the  butter  to 
endure  their  trips  vi'ithout  injury. 

No.  29,  which  was  of  very  fine  quality,  was  entered  by 
Dr.  Warren  of  this  city,  for  exhibition  only,  and  was  pro- 
cured of  H.  Gates,  Montreal.  It  was  made  by  a  Yankee 
farmer  of  the  name  of  Hastings  from  Vermont,  who  now  re- 
sides near  Montreal,  and  has  a  dairy  of  50  cows.  — The  54 
lbs.  exhibited  was  the  product  of  a  single  churning,  in  Novem- 
ber. 

No.  34.  —  Mr  Haines'  butter  was  made  from  the  common 
breed  of  cows  in  Pennsylvania,  with  about  one  in  ten  of  the 
prime  full  bred  Alderney  breed,  so  that  the  butter  is  10  per 
cent  Alderney,  which  Mr  H.  thinks  makes  a  perceptible  im- 
provement. Their  feed  has  been  from  a  common  pasture, 
with  a  large  proportion  of  white  clover.  The  pasture  has  been 
frequently  top  dressed,  but  not  ploughed  for  more  than  twenty 
years. 

Mr  Sprague's  butter,  which  took  the  first  premium,  was 
sold  to  Messrs  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  E.  Codman,  D.  S.  Ingra- 
ham,  T.  B.  Coolidge,  Mr  Hancock,  and  Mr  Barker,  keeper 
of  the  Marlborough  Hotel. 


GRAIN,   VEGETABLE    CROPS,  &;C.  249 

MrNewell's  lot  which  took  the  second  premium,  was  sold  to 
Messrs  George  Hallet,  Ebenezer  Rollins,  and  Ignatius  Sar- 
geant. 


REPORT  OF  THE   COMMITTEE  ON  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE 
CROPS,  &c. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Trustees  to  examine  the 
claims  for  premiums  for  Grain  and  Vegetable  Crops,  —  for  Ex- 
periments and  Discoveries,  —  for  Raising  Trees  and  Hedges,  — 
submit  the  following  Report  — 

The  past  season  has  been  a  most  bountiful  one,  and  has  been 
particularly  favorable  for  the  production  of  almost  every  arti- 
cle which  claims  the  attention  and  rewards  the  labors  of  agri- 
culturists in  this  part  of  the  United  States.  It  is  not  too  much 
to  say,  perhaps,  that  there  has  not  been  a  week  in  which  the 
want  of  rain    has  been    severely  felt  in    this  commonwealth, 

—  while  the  sunshine  and  heat  have  proved  sufficient  for 
bringing  to  maturity  the  crops  and  fruits  of  our  farms,  and  or- 
chards and  gardens.  Of  grass,  wheat,  rye,  barley,  Indian 
corn,  —  of  potatoes  and  vegetables  of  almost  every  description, 
the  crops  have  been  truly  abundant.     For  fruit  of  every  kind, 

—  excepting,  perhaps,  pears  and  grapes,  for  which  latter  the 
summer  has  been  too  cool  and  moist,  —  few  seasons  have  been 
so  good.  Blessed  with  a  year  of  so  much  plenty,  it  was  na- 
tural to  suppose  that  the  claims  of  our  farming  brethren  for 
the  premiums  offered  by  this  Society,  aided  by  the  bounty  of 
the  Legislature,  would  be  numerous  and  respectable.  In  this 
expectation  the  Trustees  have  not  been  disappointed.  At  the 
same  time  they  may  be  permitted  to  say,  that  much  more,  they 
hope  and  trust,  might  have  been  exhibited  had  the  inclinations 
of  our  farmers  corresponded  with  their  ability.  The  Trustees 
are  aware,  indeed,  that  some  extraordinary  exertion  and  skill 
are  necessary,  in  aid  of  a  good  year,  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  the    Society ;    but  our  enterprising  husbandmen,   and   all 


250  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &G. 

Other  classes  of  citizens,  would  do  well  to  have  in  mind, 
always,  that  nothing  of  great  worth  is  to  be  had  without  indus- 
try, and  care,  and  skill.  Labor  is  the  price  demanded  of  us, 
by  a  wise  Providence,  for  everything  truly  valuable.  It  will 
be  well,  too,  to  have  constantly  before  us  the  force  of  example. 
The  natural  effect  of  a  successful  effort,  in  any  pursuit,  is  to 
stimulate  others  in  the  same  course,  and  thus  to  promote  the 
general  good.  Care  and  system,  like  everything  else,  become 
easy  by  practice. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  among  the  applications  before 
this  committee,  there  is  not  any  instance  in  which  two  applica- 
tions have  been  made  for  the  same  article.  They  are  not 
embarrassed,  therefore,  as  some  of  the  committees  have  been, 
in  comparing  the  merits  of  numerous  competitors.  They 
regret  that  one  claim,  at  least,  should  not  have  been  made  for 
each  article  proposed  by  the  Trustees. 

The  committee  recommend,  —  instead  of  abstracts  by  the 
committee  of  the  modes  of  culture,  as  has  been  usual,  —  that 
the  statements  of  the  claimants,  in  their  own  words,  should 
follow  each  case.  They  are  led  to  propose  this,  not  only  be- 
cause they  are  generally  very  well  expressed,  but  because  they 
will  be  more  intelligible  to  practical  cultivators,  probably,  than 
any  views  the  committee  can  give. 

WHEAT. 

1.  The  Committee  consider  Messrs  Tristram  Little, 
and  Henry  Little,  of  Newbury,  in  Essex  County,  as  en- 
titled to  the  premium  of  ^'20  for  a  crop  of  spring  wheat, 
being  34^  bushels  on  an  acre.  These  gentlemen  have  been 
benefited  almost  every  year  by  the  premiums  of  this  Society, 
and  seem  richly  to  deserve  all  they  have  received,  as  judicious 
cultivators. 

Newbury,  Nov.  2,  1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  We  sowed   the  present    season  a  piece  of 
'  spring  wheat,  containing,  by  admeasurement,  one  acre  and  one 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &,C.  251 

rod.  The  soil  is  a  rich  dark  loam,  the  past  year  it  was  cultivated 
with  onions,  and  manured  with  yard  (or  cellar)  manure,  about 
eight  cords  to  the  acre,  which  produced  between  four  and  five 
hundred  bushels.  The  22d  or  23d  of  last  April  it  was  sowed 
with  wheat  without  any  dressing,  one  bushel  and  a  half  was 
sown,  (the  wheat  was  of  the  white  kind)  the  soil  was  once 
ploughed  and  the  grain  harrowed  in.  It  was  reaped  in  August? 
which  cost  four  days'  labor ;  the  quantity  of  straw  was  as  large 
as  the  bulk  of  five  tons  of  hay.  It  was  threshed  and  winnowed 
in  October,  which  cost  ten  days'  labor,  and  there  were  thirty- 
four  bushels  and  one  peck  of  grain. 

Respectfully  yours, 

Tristram  Little, 
Henry  Little. 

This  may  certify,  that  I  surveyed  for  Tristram  and  Henry 
Little  a  piece  of  ground  cultivated  with  wheat,  which  contained 
one  acre  and  one  rod.  Pike  Noyes. 

This  may  certify,  that  I  assisted  the  subscribers  in  threshing 
and  measuring  their  crop  of  wheat,  and  there  were  thirtyfour 
bushels  and  one  peck.  Daniel  S.  Heath. 

Essex  ss.  JVovember  2d,  1830.  —  Then  the  aforenamed 
Tristram  Litde,  Henry  Little,  Pike  Noyes  and  Daniel  S. 
Heath,  made  oath  that  the  statement  and  certificates  by  them 
subscribed  were  true.     Before  me. 

Daniel  Adams  3d,  Justice  of  Peace. 

barley. 

2.  To  Capt.  Benjamin  B.  Howard,  of  West  Bridgewater, 
Plymouth  County,  is  awarded  the  premium  of  |,'20  for  his 
crop  of  barley,  being  about  48  bushels  the  acre. 

[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  The  following  production  of  one   acre  one 
half  and    eighteen   rods  of  land,  cultivated  with  barley,  the 


252  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  hc. 

past  season,  by  the  subscriber,  on  his  farm  in  West  Bridge- 
water,  is  offered  for  the  Society's  premium.  The  soil  is 
a  dark,  rich  loam,  pretty  free  from  stones,  and  somewhat  in- 
clining to  moisture.  A  part  of  it,  in  1829,  was  cultivated  with 
Indian  corn,  having  been  manured  at  the  rate  of  about  eight 
common  cart  loads  to  the  acre ;  the  rest  was  cultivated  two 
seasons  successively  previous  to  the  past,  with  potatoes ;  receiv- 
ing each  year,  at  the  rate  of  about  15  loads  of  manure.  The 
crop  of  cora  was  estimated  at  45  bushels  to  the  acre ;  that  of 
potatoes,  in  1829,  at  something  near  400  bushels.  In  April 
last,  it  was  twice  ploughed  with  a  light  plough,  and  about  35 
cart  loads  of  coarse  manure  from  the  barn  windows,  were 
drawn  on,  spread,  and  harrowed  in.  About  the  first  of  May 
it  was  sown  with  barley  at  the  rate  of  about  three  bushels  to 
the  acre,  and  with  grass  seed,  which  also  were  ploughed  and 
harrowed  in.  The  crop  was  mown  and  got  in,  in  July, 
and  was  threshed  out  in  September  with  two  horses,  in  less 
than  two  days.  It  was  cleaned  with  a  machine,  and  measured 
78  bushels  and  one  peck  of  clean  handsome  barley. 

Benj.  B.  Howard. 

This  may  certify,  that  I  have  measured  the  aforementioned 
piece  of  land  cuhivated  with  barley,  and  it  contained  one  acre 
one  half  and  eighteen  rods,  and  no  more. 

S.  O.  CoPELAND,  Surveyor. 

This  may  certify,  that  I  assisted  Capt.  Benjamin  B.  Howard 
in  cultivating  the  aforementioned  piece  of  land,  and  the  forego- 
ing statement  relative  to  the  same  is  true  according  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge  and  belief.  Asa  Randall. 

We,  the  subscribers,  hereby  certify,  that  we  have  measured 
the  aforementioned  crop  of  barley,  and  that  the  foregoing  state- 
ment relative  to  the  measure  thereof  is  true. 

Benj.  B.  Howard. 

Asa  Randall. 


GRAIN,    VEGETABLE,    CROPS,    &C.  253 

Plymouth,  ss.  October,   1830.  —  Then  personally  appeared 
the  abovenamed  Benjamin  B.  Howard,  Stephen  O.  Copeland, 
and  Asa  Randall  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the   foregoing 
statement  and'  certificates  by  them  respectively  subscribed. 
Before  me, 

Austin  Packard,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

RYE. 

3.  To  Mr  Richard  Adams,  jr,  of  Newbury,  ^20  for  the 
premium  on  winter  rye  —  being  38|  bushels  on  an  acre. 

Newbury,  Nov.  1,  1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 

Gentlemen — Agreeably  to  the  directions  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  Masachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  requiring  each 
claimant  to  state  the  quality  of  the  land,  its  previous  product, 
Sic,  I  submit  the  following,  in  support  of  my  claims  for  the 
Society's  premium  for  raising  the  greatest  quantity  of  rye  on  an 
acre  the  present  year.  The  soil  is  a  yellow  loam  ;  the  season 
of  1829  it  was  cultivated  with  white  beans  without  any  manure, 
which  produced  about  25  bushels.  The  September  follow- 
ing, (after  the  crop  was  harvested)  the  ground  was  plough- 
ed and  five  pecks  of  rye  was  sowed  and  harrowed  in.  The 
April  following,  there  was  spread  on  the  same  about  ninety 
bushels  of  leached  ashes.  It  was  reaped  and  threshed  in 
July,  and  the  produce  was  38  bushels  and  three  pecks.  The 
straw  I  sold  which  weighed  more  than  two  tons.  The  labor 
done  on  the  above  crop  was,  as  you  will  see,  nothing  extra 
except  the  dressing  with  ashes. 

Yours  respectfully, 

Richard  Adams,  Jr. 

These  may  certify  that  I  surveyed  the  above  piece  of  land 
which  contained  one  acre,  and  no  more. 

Tristram  Little,  Surveyor. 


254  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  StC. 

This  may  certify  that  I  assisted  in  reaping  and  threshing  the 
within  crop  of  grain  for  Mr  Adams,  and  there  was  38  bushels 
and  Specks.  Daniel  S.  Heath, 

Henry. Little. 

Essex,  ss.  JVovember  2d,  1830.  Then  the  aforenamed  Rich- 
ard Adams,  jr,  Tristram  Little,  Daniel  S.  Heath,  and  Henry 
Little,  made  oath  that  the  statement  and  certificates  by  them 
subscribed  were  true.     Before  me, 

Daniel  Adams  3d.  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

potatoes. 
4.  To  Mr  Payson  Williams,  of  Fitchburg,  an  old  customer 
from  the  County  of  Worcester,  ^20  for  his  crop  of  potatoes  — 
about  570  bushels  to  an  acre. 

[To  the  Committee  on  Agricultural  Products.] 

Gentlemen  —  Asa  claimant  for  the  premium  offered  by 
the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  for  the 
largest  crop  of  Potatoes  grown  on  the  acre  the  present  season, 
1  will  state,  that  the  ground  on  which  my  crop  was  grown,  in- 
clines to  the  morning  sun,  is  of  a  deep  reddish  loam,  somewhat 
rocky.  In  1829,  an  abundant  crop  of  winter  rye  was  taken 
from  it,  preceded  by  turnips  for  the  successful  culture  of  which, 
the  sheep  (100)  were  nightly  folded,  for  two  previous  years, 
after  the  hay  crop  was  taken  off.  The  rye  stubble  was  turned 
under  immediately  after  reaping  that  crop.  The  process  for 
preparing  the  ground  for  the  Potato  crop  was  as  follows,  viz. 
In  May  1830,  fifty  cart-loads,  33  bushels  each,  of  unfermented 
sheep  and  other  manure,  was  evenly  spread  on  and  immediately 
ploughed  in  10  inches  deep,  furrows  struck  three  feet  each  way 
at  right  angles.  Twentyfive  bushels  of  the  River  of  Plate 
Reds  and  Philadelphia  Blues,  were  used  for  seed ;  the  reds 
planted  whole,  one  in  a  hill ;  the  blues  split  in  two  pieces, 
which  also  seeded  a  hill ;  the  planting  finished  the  last  of  May. 
The  plants  had  two  good  hoeings ;  the  last  when  in  the  bud,  the 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLK  CROPS,  SlC.  255 

plants  or  stalks  being  ten  inches  in  height.  The  harvesting 
finished  the  last  of  October.  The  amount  of  the  Potato  crop 
was  by  careful  measurement,  six  hundred  and  eighteen  bushels 
on  one  acre  and  fourteen  and  a  half  one  hundred  and  sixtieths 
parts  of  an  acre.  Also  had  on  a  part  of  the  field  about  1000 
lbs.  crook-necked  and  West  India  squashes,  planted  in  every 
other  hill  and  every  other  row,  where  the  potato  seed  was 
wholly  left  out.  The  land  is  probably  good  enough  to  pro- 
duce a  much  larger  crop  when  the  season  is  congenial  to 
the  culture  of  the  Potato.  The  past  season  has  been  too 
wet  and  cold,  even  for  this  hardy  vegetable. 

Yours,  he. 

P.  Williams. 

I,  Philip  F.  Cowdin,  sworn  surveyor  of  the  town  of  Fitch- 
burg,  hereby  certify  that  I  have  this  day  measured  for  Payson 
Williams  a  certain  plot  of  ground  on  which  Potatoes  were 
grown  the  present  season,  and  find  the  same  to  contain  one 
acre  and  fourteen  and  a  half  one  hundred  and  sixtieths  and  no 
more. 

P.  F.  Cowdin. 

FiTCHBURG,  Nov.  2d,  1830. 

I,  Benjamin  Tilden,  of  the  town  of  Fitchburg,  hereby  certify 
that  I  assisted  Payson  Williams  to  harvest  the  crop  of  Potatoes 
grown  the  present  season  on  the  plot  of  ground  as  stated  in  the 
above  certificate  of  Philip  F.  Cowdin,  and  found  the  same,  by 
accurate  measurement  to  be  six  hundred  and  eighteen  bushels. 

Benjamin  Tilden. 

Worcester,  ss.  JVov.  6,   1830.  —  Then   the  above  named 
Benjamin  Tilden  appeared  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the 
above  certificate  by  him  subscribed. 
Before  me, 

David  Brigham, 

Justice  of  the  Peace. 


256  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &;C. 

Expense  of  Cultivation. 

50  loads  manure,  the  proportion  drawn  by  the  Potato  crop 

probably  not  more  than  50  per  cent,  at  ^1  per  load  $25  00 

Carting  the  same  and  spreading         .  '         .  5  00 

Ploughing  in  the  manure  .         .         .         .  4  00 

Labor  in  planting  .....  5  00 

25  bushels  of  seed  at  2  shillings  .         .         .  8  33 

Two  hoeings  ......  9  00 

Harvesting  the  crop,  say  20  days'  work,  at  4  shillings.     13  50 

^69  83 

In  reading  Mr  Williams'  account  of  his  fine  crop  of  pota- 
toes, our  farmers  are  requested  to  notice  that  the  manure  was 
spread  over  the  ground  instead  of  being  put  in  the  hill  in  the 
common  way.  If  using  manure  at  broad  cast  will  give  as 
good  a  crop  of  potatoes  or  corn  as  putting  it  in  the  hill,  will 
it  not  be  a  great  saving  of  labor,  and  at  the  same  time  place 
the  manure  more  equally  on  the  ground  ?  No  process  in  farm- 
ing seems  more  slow  and  tedious  than  dunging  out  in  the  hill. 
It  is  hoped  that  this  statement  of  Mr  Williams,  who  has  always 
appeared  before  this  society  as  a  very  intelligent  and  successful 
farmer,  will  bring  out  some  remarks  from  practical  men  on  this 
subject.  It  will  be  seen  that  Mr  Ware,  of  Salem,  planted  this 
year,  in  the  same  way,  both  corn  and  potatoes.  Among  our 
New  England  crops,  none  are  so  general,  or  more  important, 
than  corn  and  potatoes,  and  if  a  more  economical  mode  of 
raising  them,  as  regards  labor,  can  be  found  out,  it  will  be  a 
great  public  benefit.  Mr  Williams  used  a  great  quantity  of 
manure,  it  is  true, — perhaps  twice  or  three  times  as  much  as 
is  usual  among  farmers,  —  and  his  land  was  in  good  condition 
before;  but  then  he  intimates,  and  seemingly  with  reason,  that, 
owing  to  its  being  spread  and  ploughed  in,  not  more  than  half 
its  strength  was  drawn  out  by  the  potato  crop.     All  experi- 


GRAIN,    VEGETABLE    CROPS,    &,C-  257 

ments  of  this  kind  deserve  regard,  and  one  great  object  of  the 
Society  is  to  elicit  the  opinions  of  observing  fanners  for  the 
public  good.  Perhaps  some  one  will  attempt  to  show  the  dif- 
ference in  labor,  as  to  planting  corn  and  potatoes,  by  dunging  in 
the  hill  or  otherwise.    It  is  a  question  which  needs  to  be  settled. 

MANGEL    WURTZEL. 

5.  The  committee  take  pleasure  in  recommending  the  pre- 
mium of  ^^'20  to  be  paid  to  jMr  Gideon  Foster,  of  «_'harlestown, 
Middlesex  County,  for  his  admirable  crop  of  mangel  wurtzel. 
If  so  large  a  quantity  of  this  valuable  vegetable  has  been 
raised  by  any  one  in  this  country,  on  an  acre,  it  has  escaped 
the  notice  of  the  committee.  The  largest  amount  that  has 
been  presented  on  any  former  occasion,  was,  it  is  believed,  by 
Messrs  T.  and  H.  Little,  of  Newbury,  which  fell  a  little  short 
of  1000  bushels.  It  will  be  seen  by  Mr  Foster's  well  pre- 
pared statement,  that,  measuring  by  cart  loads,  he  had  1413 
bushels,  —  that  ivcighing  by  the  cart  load,  and  taking  the 
standard  weight  of  56  lbs.  the  busliel,  he  had  1542  bushels, 
or  86,455  pounds,  upwards  of  42  net  tons.  For  this  premium 
there  has  been  no  other  claimant,  but  the  committee  hope  and 
believe,  that  ii  is  not  hence  to  be  inferred  that  our  farmers  do 
not  generally  raise  more  or  less  of  the  mangel  wurtzel.  On 
the  contrary,  they  are  led  to  think,  that  if,  as  regards  most  of 
those  vegetables  for  cattle,  a  half  acre  had  been  proposed  in- 
stead of  a  whole  one,  there  would  have  been  numerous  com- 
petitors. It  may  be  thought  advisable,  another  year,  not  to 
insist  on  an  acre,  and  to  have  several  premiums  for  the  same 
article.  Considering  the  length  of  our  winters  in  this  northern 
climate,  —  that  our  stock  must  be  fed  from  the  barn  from  the 
middle  of  November  to  the  middle  of  May,  six  months, — 
how  important  and  desirable  is  it  that  we  should  feed  our  cattle 
on  something  besides  dry  fodder  —  some  food  which  is,  at  the 
same  time,  succulent  and  nutritious.  No  climate  is  better 
adapted  than  ours  for  mangel  wurtzel,  sugar  beets,  (the  mosj 
nutritious  of  the  two,  and  about  equally  productive,)  ruta  baga, 
common  turnips,  carrots,  parsnips,  potatoes,  —  and  of  all  these, 
7 


258  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &IC. 

cattle  are  very  fond,  and  most,  if  not  all  of  them,  form  the 
most  wholesome  and  favorite  food  of  sheep  and  swine.     Con- 
sider the  value  of  those  crops,  too,  by  the  acre,  compared  with 
hay,  and  that  any  season  good  for  hay  will  be  good  for  them. 
Perhaps  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  there  is  as  little  uncertainty 
of  a   good  crop  of  corn  and  potatoes  as  of  hay.     From  the 
claims  exhibited  in  this  report,  it  will  be  found,  that  of  mangel 
wurtzel  there  has  been  produced  42  tons  to  the  acre,  of  ruta 
baga  25  tons,  of  potatoes  nearly  18  tons.     Of  sugar  beets? 
carrots  and  turnips,  it  is  presumed  the  same    quantities  can  be 
raised  as  of  potatoes  or  ruta  baga  :  of  parsnips  not  so  much,  but 
this  last  vegetable  is  the  sweetest  of  all.     These  are  prodigious 
crops,  such  as  may  not,  in  common  seasons,  be  generally  or  often 
realized  ;  but  supposing  one  half,  or  one  third  as  much  can  be  pro- 
duced, what  stronger  inducement  can  be  offered  to  every  farmer 
to  turn  his  attention  to  these  things  ?    On  our  farms,  we  rarely 
have  more  than  a  ton  and  a  half  or  two  tons  of  hay  on  an  acre, 
and  though  it  is  not  pretended  that  more  labor  is  not  wanted  to 
raise   vegetables  than  hay,  and  more  manure  and   particular 
care,  yet,  as  a  preparation  of  the  ground  for  hay,  and  as  form- 
ing a  most  grateful  variety  in  the  food  of  animals,  and  consid- 
ering the  prodigious   difference  in    weight  of  crop,  who  can 
possibly  doubt  its  being  better  to  put  a  small  portion  of  our 
grounds  into  this  kind  of  culture  ?  We  have  generally,  it  is  be- 
lieved, had  the  idea  that  much  more  labor  and  skill  are  neces- 
sary in  cultivating  mangel  wurtzel,  sugar  beets,  and  ruta   baga 
than  for  corn  and  potatoes.     This  notion  is  natural  enough, 
because  we  have  attended  to  the  latter  much  more  than  the 
former.     But  we  have,  in  this  report,  as  wehad  in  the  report 
of  the  last  year,  the  testimony  of  a  practical  and  nice  observer, 
Mr  Colman,  who,  in  speaking  this  year  of  ruta  baga,  says  — 
'  The  whole,  from  the  sowing  to  the   gathering,  was  not  two 
%irds  of  the  labor   usually  bestowed   on  planting,  cultivating 
and  gathering  an  acre  of  potatoes.'  E.  H.  Derby,  Esq.  a  man  of 
experience  in  these  things,  says,  in  1825,  that  'cabbages,  tur- 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &,C.  259 

nips,  mangel  wiirtzel,  sugar  beets,  are  all  raised  at  as  little  ex- 
pense as  potatoes.'  If  ail  this  be  true  of  potatoes,  it  certainly 
may,  with  truth,  be  said  of  Indian  corn.  We  have  the  opinion 
of  Mr  Colman,  which  is  worthy  of  notice,  as  to  the  value  of 
ruta  baga  for  fatting  or  for  store  cattle. 

Charlestown,  Nov.  30,  1830. 
The  following  is  an  account  of  the  culture  and  product  of  one  acre  of 
Mangel  Wurtzel  raised  by   Gideon  Foster,  of  Charlestoion,  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  Massachusetts. 

The  soil  is  a  black  loam  with  a  clay  bottom,  inclining  six 
degrees  to  the  northeast.  In  1829,  three  fourths  of  the  same 
was  planted  with  potatoes,  with  a  moderate  supply  of  manure 
in  the  hills,  and  yielded  an  ordinary  crop  ;  the  residue  was  in 
mangel  wurtzel  and  grass.  Early  in  the  month  of  May  of  the 
present  year,  there  was  spread  on -said  land  about  eight  cords 
of  compost  manure,  and  ploughed  to  the  depth  of  eight  inches, 
and  harrowed  in  the  usual  way.  About  the  12th  of  May,  I 
sowed  the  seed  in  rows  by  hand,  twentytwo  inches  apart.  I 
thinned  them  from  8  to  12  inches  apart,  in  the  rows  when  they 
became  the  size  of  a  goose  quill.  I  should  have  preferred  an 
earlier  period  for  this  part  of  the  cultivation  had  it  not  been  for 
the  threatened  destruction  by  the  wire  worms,  which  were 
then  numerous.  Nothing  more  was  necessary  in  point  of  cul- 
tivation to  perfect  the  crop,  but  to  keep  the  soil  loose  about  the 
roots,  and  the  land  clear  of  weeds,  which  was  principally  done 
with  shuffling  hoes,  except  frequent  cropping  of  the  under 
leaves,  by  which  I  obtained  treble  benefit.  1st,  by  obtaining  an 
excellent  food  for  swine  and  horned  cattle  ;  2d,  by  admitting  the 
sun  and  air  to  the  roots  ;  3d,  by  removing  them  near  to  the 
crown,  about  the  middle  of  September,  which  gave  them  time  to 
heal,  so  that  on  harvesting  they  are  found  to  be  in  a  sound 
and  healthy  state  for  preserving  them  through  the  winter. 

They  were  harvested  in  the  3d  week  of  October.  The 
roots  were  measured  in  a  wagon  body  that  held  twentythree 
bushels  by  accurate  measurement.     This    measure  was   filled 


260  GRAIN,    VEGETABLE    CROPS,  &;C. 

61  times,  and  there  were  10  bushels  over.  The  wagon  body 
was  tlien  placed  on  its  wheels  and  twice  filled  (to  the  judg- 
ment ofthoseof  us  present)  as  formerly,  and  weighed  at  the 
patent  scales  of  D.  Devens,  Esq.  of  this  town.  The  average 
weight  of  which  was  as  per  tickets  annexed,  141 5J  lbs. 
making  1433  bushels  or  86,961   lbs.  or  43  tons,  961  lbs. 

It  was  observed  by  agriculturists  who  inspected  the  field? 
that  much  of  its  beauty  consisted  in  the  uniformity  of  the  size  of 
the  roots,  none  of  them  being  so  large  as  have  been  raised  by 
others,  while  very  few  of  them  were  small.  The  largest  that  I 
have  known  to  have  been  measured,  being  25^  inches  in  cir- 
cumference. 

The  actual  expense  of  raising  said  crop,  I  estimate  to  be 
35  dollars.  Gideon  Foster. 

Middlesex,  ss.  JVov.  30th,  1830.  —  Then  personally  appear- 
ed the  aforesaid  Gideon  Foster,  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of 
the  foregoing  statement  before  me, 

E.  Phinney, 

Justice  of  the  Peace. 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  aforegoing  statement  of  Gideon 
Foster,  relative  to  the  quality  aad  weight  of  Mangel  Wurtzel 
raised  by  him  the  present  season,  I  having  assisted  in  gather- 
ing and  weighing  the  same,  is  correct  and  true. 

his 

Witness,  E.  Phinney.  William  X  Cooper 

mark. 
Charlestown,  Nov.  30,  1830. 

Middlesex  ss.  30th  JVov.  1830.  —  Then  the  aforesaid  Wm. 
Cooper,  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  certificate, 
before  me, 

E.  Phinney, 

Justice  of  the  Peace. 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &C.  261 

RUTA  BAGA. 

6.  Rev.  Henry  Colman,  whose  farm  is  in  Lynn,  Essex 
County,  is  entitled  to  the  premium  of  .f20  for  his  fine  crop  of 
ruta  baga — 741  bushels  on  an  acre,  weighing  68|  lbs.  a  bushel, 
being  about  25  tons  and  a  half. 

Sai.em,  Dec.  1st,  1830. 
[To  the  Committee  o  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  on  Agricul- 
tural Experiments.] 

Gentlemen  —  Accompanying  this  you  have  the  certifi- 
cates of  a  crop  of  Ruta  Baga  raised  this  year  on  my  farm  in 
Lynn.  From  these  it  will  appear  that  on  an  acre,  measured  by 
a  sworn  surveyor,  on  one  side  of  the  field,  there  were  gathered 
741  baskets  full  ;  and  that  forty  baskets  of  the  abovenamed, 
weighed  at  the  town  scales  2750  lbs.  net  weight.  This,  allow- 
ing 56  lbs.  to  a  bushel,  the  standard  weight  assumed  by  the 
Society,  would  give  a  crop  of  903  bushels  to  the  acre. 

The  turnips  were  planted  on  the  29th  of  June  and  2d  of 
July ;  about  one  pound  and  a  half  of  seed  was  used  for  the 
acre  ;  and  they  were  gathered  and  stored  in  cellars  and  in  the 
barn  in  the  last  part  of  November. 

The  ground  on  which  they  grew  is  a  good  soil,  neither  wet 
nor  dry,  and  bore  the  last  year  an  abundant  crop  of  onions, 
and  corn  the  year  preceding  the  last.  It  was  well  manured  at 
both  times  and  in  fine  tilth.  It  was  manured  with  at  least  six 
cords  to  the  acre  of  barn  manure  the  last  spring  and  sowed 
again  to  onions ;  but  the  seed,  entirely  failing,  it  was  ploughed, 
harrowed,  furrows  struck  out,  and  about  eight  cords  of  barn 
manure  spread  in  the  furrows ;  ploughed  again  so  as  by  a  back 
furrow  to  form  a  ridge,  over  the  manure,  and  the  seed  sown 
with  a  small  drill  harrow  on  the  ridges,  making  the  rows  about 
twenty  inches  asunder.  As  soon  as  the  plants  were  of  sufficient 
size,  a  drill  harrow,  with  small  shares  fixed  to  it,  to  cut  off  all  the 
weeds  was  passed  through  the  rows ;  and  the  plants  thinned  with 
a  small  weeding  hoe  to  the  distance  of  about  eight  inches  apart, 
and  the  vacant  places  filled  up  by  transplanting  from  the  super- 


262  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &,C. 

numerary  plants.  They  were  once  more  harrowed  and  clean- 
ed, which  was  a  very  small  labor;  and  owing  to  the  very  un- 
propitioLis  weather,  were  not  harvested  until  very  late.  Some 
of  them  were  very  large  ;  one  weighed  15  lbs.  and  many  were 
nearly  as  large.  The  exact  expense  of  cultivating  the  acre 
cannot  be  estimated,  as  it  was  intermixed  with  other  farm  work ; 
but  the  whole  from  the  sowing  to  the  gathering,  was  not  two 
thirds  of  the  labor  usually  bestowed  on  planting,  cultivating,  and 
gathering  an  acre  of  potatoes. 

My  Swedish  Turnips  the  last  year,  of  which  T  raised  consid- 
erable quantities,  were  fed  off  to  my  oxen,  dry  cows,  young 
stock,  and  fatting  sheep.  To  the  cattle  they  were  of  very 
great  advantage  ;  and  for  feeding  sheep,  they  proved  the  last 
year,  by  an  accurate  account,  worth  from  ten  to  twelve  and  half 
cents  per  bushel.  The  man  who  has  the  care  of  my  stock 
considers  them  as  among  the  most  profitable  feed,  which  can 
be  given  either  to  fatting  or  to  store  cattle.  Three  years'  expe- 
riment has  increased  their  value  very  much  for  these  purposes 
In  my  own  estimation. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  very  respectfully  yours, 

Henry  Colman. 

This  certifies  that  I  have  superintended  and  assisted  in  the 
gathering  and  measuring  of  a  crop  of  Ruta  Baga  or  Swedish 
Turnips,  grown  this  season  on  an  acre  of  ground,  which  had 
been  measured  and  stacked  off  on  the  farm  of  Mr  Henry  Col- 
man in  Lynn  ;  and  that  we  obtained  from  the  said  acre  741 
baskets  full  after  they  had  been  topped  and  cleaned,  and  that 
40  baskets  of  the  above  named  turnips  at  the  town  scales  in 
Salem,  weighed  2750  lbs.  net  weight,  as  by  the  annexed  certifi- 
cate of  the  town  weigher.  John  Marsh. 

This  certifies  that  a  load  of  Turnips  driven  by  John  Marsh 
weighs  4520  lbs.  gross,  1770  lbs.  tare,  2750  net  lbs. 

A.  Brown,  Town  Weigher. 
Salem,  Dec.  I,  1830. 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &C.  263 

Essex  ss.  Dec.  ],  1830.  — Then  John  Marsh  made  solemn 
oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  certificate  by  him  subscribed. 
Before  me, 

Dudley  L.  Pickman,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
Salem,  Dec.  1,  1830. 

The  committee  are  sorry  that,  after  so  fine  a  year,  no  one 
should  have  preferred  a  claim  for  the  premium  on  carrots,  or 
sugar  beets,  or  parsnips,  or  even  turnips.  A  better  season  for 
raising  them  rarely  if  ever  occurs.  As  to  English  turnips,  the 
culture  of  them  is  so  common  and  easy,  and  they  have  proved 
so  fine  this  year,  it  is  really  surprising  that  no  claim  should  have 
been  presented.  Can  it  be  because  they  have  not  been  raised 
by  many  in  sufficient  quantity  to  gain  the  premium,  or  is  it  not 
rather  that  our  worthy  farmers  have  neglected  to  make  appli- 
cation ?  Whatever  may  be  urged  as  to  their  not  being  in  the 
habit  of  attending  to  mangel  wurtzel,  Sic,  it  cannot  be  said  of 
turnips,  which  have  been  cultivated  always  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent,  by  almost  every  farmer. 

ONIONS. 

7.  The  committee  award  the  premium  of  $20  to  Mr  Jos. 
Perkins,  of  Newbury,  for  his  crop  of  onions.  The  product 
by  estimate  was  657  bushels  on  an  acre.  Mr  Perkins  has 
supposed  52|  lbs.  to  the  bushel.  No  standard  weight  is  given 
by  the  society,  but  the  committee  believe  50  lbs.  to  be  about 
the  average  weight  of  a  bushel. 

Newbury,  Nov.  12th,  1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  In  conformity  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
your  society,  I  send  you  a  statement  of  the  amount,  together 
with  the  manner  of  cuUure  he,  of  one  acre  of  onions,  the 
growth  of  1830.  The  quality  of  the  soil  is  a  yellow  loam,  and 
has  been  cultivated  with  onions  several  years.  In  1829,  it  was 
sown  as  usual  with  onions,  without  any  dressing,  and  produced 
between  400  and  500  bushels.     The  2d  of  December   last' 


264  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &tC. 

after  the  crop  was  off,  there  were  three  and  a  half  cords  of  barn 
manure  ploughed  in,  in  ridges.  —  The  21st  and  22d  of  April 
following,  the  land  was  ploughed  and  harrowed,  and  two  and  a 
half  pounds  of  seed  was  sown  in  drills  about  fourteen  inches 
apart.  The  first  hoeing  and  weeding  was  done  June  11th, 
which  cost  five  days'  labor.  The  2d  was  July  2d,  four  days' 
more  ;  the  last  weeding  was  done  the  22d,  which  cost  four 
do.  They  were  harvested  early  in  October,  and  between 
9,000  and  10,000  bunches  have  been  bunched,  which,  estimat- 
ing 15  bunches  to  the  bushel,  (each  bunch  weighing  3|  lbs.  is 
a  fair  calculation,)  together  with  those  that  have  been  topped 
and  sold  by  the  bushel,  there  were  657  bushels. 

Joseph  Perkins. 

These  may  certify  that  I  assisted  in  cultivating,  and  harvest- 
ing, and  measuring  the  above  crop  of  onions,  which  said  state- 
ment is  correct.  Joshua  Perkins,  Jr. 

This  may  certify  that  at  the  request  of  Joseph  Perkins,  I 
measured  one  acre  of  land  and  marked  it  off,  (which  ground 
was,  to  appearance,  covered  with  onions.) 

Tristram  Little,  Surveyor. 

Essex  ss.  Nov.    13th,  1830.  — Personally  appeared  Joseph 
Perkins,  and  Joseph  Perkins,  Jr,  and  made  oaths  to  the  afore- 
going statements,  by  them  severally  subscribed,  before  me. 
Silas  Moody,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

No  claims  have  been  sent  in  for  the  best  crop  of  Indian 
corn,  —  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  vegetables  raised  for  con- 
sumption on  the  farm  of  the  claimant,  —  for  the  greatest  quan- 
tity on  one  acre  of  millet,  of  common  beets,  cabbages,  dry 
peas,  dry  beans,  mustard  seed,  flax  and  hemp. 

turning  in  green  crops  for  manure. 

8.  To  Mr  William  Buckminster,  of  Framingham,  Middlesex 
County,  the  committee  award  the  premium  of  ^20  for  his  ex- 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &C.  365 

periment  '  of  turning  in  green  crops  as  a  manure.'  This 
attempt  of  Mr  Buckminster,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee, 
well  deserves  the  attention  of  farmers,  and  particularly  of  those 
who  live  too  far  from  a  city  or  town  to  buy  manure.  The 
practice  of  enriching  or  renovating  land  by  ploughing  in  green 
crops,  is  a  very  common  one  in  Europe,  though  hardly  known 
here.  But  would  it  not  be  well  to  try  it  ?  Our  farmers  in 
general  have  more  land  than  they  can  till,  owing  to  their  not 
having  manure  enough,  or  because  it  is  too  far  from  their  barn 
yards;  and  hence  it  is  that  some  large  farms,  and  naturally  of 
good  soil,  actually  produce  less,  but  with  infinitely  more  labor, 
than  much  smaller  ones  that  are  well  cultivated.  Indeed  the 
desire  of  having  large  farms,  without  giving  to  them  the  neces- 
sary outlay,  is  the  common  error  of  our  country.  The  inevi- 
table result  is  scanty  crops  and  more  labor.  An  acre  is  mown, 
often,  for  a  ton  of  hay  or  less,  where  with  decent  care  two  tons 
might  be  had.  A  pasture  often  of  a  dozen  acres,  which  might 
be  easily  ploughed,  does  not  afford  food  enough  for  one  cow ; 
whereas  at  small  expense,  it  might  be  made  to  support  four  or 
five.  Now,  in  a  country  like  ours,  where  produce  is  so  cheap 
and  labor  so  dear,  this  is  unquestionably  a  wrong,  not  to  say 
a  ruinous,  mode  of  management,  —  a  mode  which  drives  our 
children  to  the  Western  or  Eastern  country  for  want  of  land, 
who  might  have  enough  here  if  rightly  used.  But  if  farmers  will 
have  more  land  than  they  can  till  in  the  ordinary  way,  for  want 
of  manure,  what  better  plan  can  be  devised  than  that  of 
ploughing,  and  sowing,  and  turning  in  the  green  crops,  with  the 
sole  view  of  fertilizing  their  lands  ?  Whether  it  be  afterwards 
used  for  mowing,  or  tillage  or  grazing,  still  it  must  b3  good 
husbandry,  if  we  can  rely  on  the  testimony  of  Mr  Bjckmin- 
ster,  and  on  the  experience  of  farmers  in  England. 

The  remarks  of  Mr  Buckminster  on  bog  or  meadow  mud, 
are  worthy  of  notice.  It  is  quite  certain,  as  he  says,  that  used 
in  Its  crude  state,  as  dug  from  the  meadow,  it  is  inert  and 
seemingly  useless ;  but  when  put  in  the  barn-yard  and  hog-pen. 


266  GRAIN,    VEGETABLE    CROPS,    &,C. 

and  trampled  ujDon  and  mixed  with  manure,  it  becomes  an  ex- 
cellent compost.  As  almost  every  farm  has  bog  meadow,  it 
must  be  well  known,  that  after  being  several  months  in  the 
barnyard  or  pigsty,  it  makes  an  excellent  manure  for  corn  in 
the  proportion  of  about  two  thirds  mud  and  one  third  dung. 
Whether  Mr  Buckminster's  notion  of  carting  it  at  once  to  the 
ground  where  wanted,  to  save  labor,  and  there  mixing  it  with 
manure,  is  a  correct  one,  every  man  will  judge  for  himself. 
The  common  idea  has  been,  that  to  take  it  to  the  barnyard 
first  is  better.  But  all  must  agree  that  it  may  be  very  profit- 
ably used  as  food  for  plants,  and  therefore  ought  not  to  be 
overlooked  in  the  aianagement  of  the  farm. 

On  ploughing  in  Green  Crops  as  a  Manure. 

Framingham,  Nov.  10, 1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 

I  have  been  induced,  partly  by  the  premium  you  offer,  and 
partly  for  my  own  satisfaction,  to  make  some  experiments  as 
to  the  value  of  green  crops  ploughed  in  for  manure,  and  I 
send  you  the  result. 

In  the  middle  of  May,  1828, 1  ploughed  up  three  and  a  half 
acres  of  pasture  land  that  had,  for  many  years,  been  tilled  by  the 
former  owner  until  the  crops  would  not  repay  the  labor.  It 
was  a  light-loam,  but  not  sandy.  It  had  been  so  reduced,  that 
10  acres  did  not  afford  sufficient  pasturage  for  one  cow  through 
the  season.  We  sowed  immediately  after  thus  ploughing,  a 
bushel  of  buckwheat  to  the  acre,  and  in  6  weeks  rolled  down 
the  buckwheat  in  the  direction  we  intended  to  plough,  and  then 
ploughed  and  sowed  as  before.  In  the  latter  part  of  August,  we 
turned  in  a  second  crop  of  buckwheat  —  having  rolled  it  down 
flat  as  at  first,  and  then  seeded  it  down  with  clover,  herds  grass 
and  red-top,  one  peck  and  a  half  to  the  acre.  Most  of  the 
clover  was  winter-killed,  and  a  great  part  of  the  herds  grass  and 
red-top.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1829,  we  sowed  10  lbs.  of 
clover  seed  to  the  acre ;  and  with  a  light  harrow,  went  slowly 
over  the  whole.     The  seed  took  well,  but  the  clover  was  not 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROrS,  &;C, 


267 


high  enough  for  the  scythe  when  the  other  grass  was  fit  to  cut. 
We  mowed  what  had  not  heen  winter-killed  ;  and  where  it 
yielded  best,  we  obtained  one  ton  of  herds  grass  to  the  acre. 
Immediately  after  mowing  we  turned  in  our  cattle,  and  fed  the 
grass  close.  Last  spring,  (1830)  the  grass  was  so  forward  we 
turned  in  our  cattle  on  the  19th  of  April.  There  were  8  acres 
in  the  whole  field,  but  there  were  only  five  acres  that  bore  any 
grass  worth  50  cents.  These  five  acres  were  the  three  and  a 
half  managed  as  I  have  stated  above,  and  one  and  a  half  on 
which  grass  seed  was  sown  in  April,  1830 ;  and  fifty  bushels  of 
leached  ashes  mixed  with  loam,  spread  on  the  surface.  On 
these  5  acres,  (and  the  3  which  bore  nothing,)  I  pastured  4 
cows  constantly  for  4  months,  wanting  two  days,  and  they  had 
an  abundance  of  feed.  I  never  had  any  pasture  ground  yield 
so  well  before.  I  think  these  green  crops  improved  the  land  as 
much  as  a  good  dressing  of  manure,  and  the  comparative  ex- 
pense I  estimate  as  follows  on  one  acre,  viz. 

fVith  Manure. 
20  ox  cart  loads  of  manure        .... 
Hauling  f  mile  and  spreading    .... 
Ploughing  once,  green  sward    .... 
Harrowing  and  sowing  .... 


|24 

00 

5 

00 

2 

00 

1 

00 

^32  00 


With  Green  Crops. 
First  ploughing,  green  sward 
2d  ploughing,  and  rolling  with  man  and  horse 
3d  ploughing,  and  rolling      do,  do, 

Three  harrowings  do,  do, 

Two  bushels  buckwheat 
Sowing  do,  ... 


^G  80 

Thus  you  will  see,  that  it  has  cost  me  less  than  one  fourth  as 

much  to  enrich  my  land  with  green  crops,  as  it  would  with  ma- 


.   ^2 

00 

1 

00 

1 

00 

1 

00 

1 

55 

25 

268  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &Z,C. 

nure.  If  my  grass  had  not  been  winter-killed  the  first  year,  I 
intended  to  have  shown  you  the  precise  weight  of  hay  cut  on 
an  acre.  The  above  estimate  of  the  cost  of  manure  is  less  by 
12  cents  per  load  than  it  can  be  purchased  for  in  this  place.  I 
have  given  more  within  2  years. 

Farmers  ought,  in  duty,  to  make  the  trial  for  themselves. 
They  generally  have  much  land,  (miscalled  under  improve- 
ment) 10  acres  of  which,  will  not  pasture  a  cow.  Such  land 
usually  lies  distant  from  the  house.  They  say  they  cannot 
make  manure  enough  for  the  whole  farm,  and  they  find  it  more 
profitable  to  lay  their  manure  on  lands  nearer  home.  They  do 
not  seem  to  conceive  it  possible  to  enrich  them  otherwise  than 
whh  stable  manure.  If  they  would  plough  and  sow  properly, 
they  could  make  the  whole  rich. 

They  further  object  to  growing  crops  to  be  ploughed  in  ; 
for,  say  they,  '  The  growing  crop  will  exhaust  the  land  as 
much  as  it  will  enrich  the  same  when  ploughed  in,  so  that  we 
end  where  be  began. '  This  would  be  correct  reasoning,  un- 
doubtedly, if  the  growing  crop  obtained  its  whole  sustenance 
from  the  ground.  —  It  probably  does  not  one  sixth  part.  It 
was  the  knowledge  of  this  principle  that  gave  me  confidence  of 
success  in  the  experiment.  The  advantages  of  green  crops  for 
manure  are  greater  where  the  lands  are  distant  from  the  barn, 
than  in  other  cases. 

Bog  Mud  as  Manure. 

I  have  made  another  experiment  on  compost  manure.  In 
April,  1828,  I  carted  30  loads  of  mud  or  muck  from  a  pond- 
hole,  which  had  a  black  soil  4  feet  deep.  —  I  thought  it  must 
be  valuable  manure,  though  nothing  but  rushes  and  skunk  cab- 
bage, had  grown  on  it  for  20  years,  owing  to  its  sunken  posi- 
tion. These  30  loads  were  immediately  spread  on  an  acre  of 
worn-out  land,  and  ploughed  in.  White  Beans  were  planted 
on  a  part,  buckwheat  on  a  part,  and  barley  on  another  part.  — 
No  crop  worth  cutting  was  produced.  The  muck  did  no  ser- 
vice, either  last  year  or  the  year  before.      Last  autumn  I  tried 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &C.  269 

it  again  ;  carted  out  15  loads  on  to  the  high  land  aforesaid, 
and  mixed  with  those  fifteen,  two  loads  of  stahle  manure  ;  the 
whole  was  mixed  together,  and  suffered  to  lie  in  a  heap  till  the 
10th  of  last  May.  It  was  then  carted  on  to  the  same  land  as 
the  other,  and  the  whole  heap  produced  all  the  good  effects  of 
clear  stable  manure.  —  I  raised  a  good  crop  of  Indian  corn  from 
it,  without  putting  on  over  20  loads  of  the  compost  to  the  acre. 
Such  was  the  difference  between  applying  this  muck  raw  or 
green,  and  applying  it  after  it  had  been  six  months  fermenting 
in  a  mass,  thawing,  freezing,  Sic,  to  become  pulverized. 

All  our  farmers  in  this  quarter,  in  making  compost  manures? 
carry  the  most  bulky,  heavy  ingredients  many  rods  —  some 
half  a  mile  to  their  cow-yards  and  hog-pens  —  and  when  these 
materials  have  rested  there  long  enough,  they  are  then  carried 
back  again  to  the  fields.  I  would  save  them  most  of  this  labor. 
Let  them  make  their  compost  heaps  on,  or  near  the  soil  where 
it  is  to  be  applied,  and  as  near  as  possible  to  where  the  chief  in- 
gredient hes.  This  will  save  a  double  carting  of  half  or  three 
quarters  of  a  mile.  They  will  have  to  carry  nothing  but  a  little 
stable  manure  to  that  distance  in  most  cases,  instead  of  carting 
back  and  forwards  the  whole  mass. 

Respectfully  yours, 

William  Buckminster. 

I,  William  J.  Buckminster,  certify  that  I  labored  on  my  fa- 
ther's farm,  William  Buckminster,  in  1828  and  1829.  That 
in  the  former  year  he  ploughed  up  between  3  and  4  acres  of 
land  that  produced  very  little  of  anything.  That  we  sowed  in 
1828,  two  successive  crops  of  buckwheat  on  the  same,  and 
ploughed  it  in,  and  that  we  seeded  the  land  down  about  the 
first  of  September  with  herds  grass,  clover,  and  red-top.  The 
clover  was  nearly  all  winter-killed.  We  sowed  more  early  in 
spring,  and  harrowed  it  in  among  the  standing  herds  grass. 
The  herds  grass  obtained  a  good  height,  but  was  quite  thin. 
The    clover  came  up  well,  and  afforded  fine  pasturing  after 


270  GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &£C. 

haying.  Last  spring,  we  turned  in  four  cows  on  this  land  and 
pastured  them  there  four  months,  wanting  two  days,  taking 
them  out  on  the  20th  of  August  —  the  cows  pastured  on  this 
lot  thus  laid  down,  and  about  one  acre  and  a  half  more  in  the 
same  enclosure,  making  not  more  than  five  acres  for  the  four 
cows.  There  were  from  two  to  three  acres  more  of  meadow 
land,  which  the  cows  hardly  meddled  with,  and  which  pro- 
duced but  a  trifle  of  feed,  but  the  cows  ranged  over  it.  The 
cows  had  a  great  abundance  of  feed,  and  in  many  places  the 
grass  was  so  rank  the  cattle  suffered  it  to  grow  up  and  go  to 
seed,  one  yard  square  in  a  place.  When  we  sowed  the  buck- 
wheat we  had  much  more  grass  for  pasturing  than  we  have 
ever  had  after  manuring,  and  then  planting  and  laying  down  to 
grass.  William  J.  Buckminster. 

Framingham,  Nov.  SOth,  1830. 

Middlesex,  ss.  Dec.  1,  1830.     Then  the  above  named  Wil- 
liam J.  Buckminster,  personally  appeared  and   made  oath  to 
the  truth  of  the  above  certificate,  by  him  signed,  before  me. 
William  Buckminster,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 

YELLOW    LOCUST. 

9.  The  committee  are  glad  to  be  able  to  bring  before  the 
public  another  experiment  of  Mr  Buckminster's,  for  which  he 
or  Mr  Clark,  of  Northampton,  may  become  entitled  to  a  pre- 
mium of  ^50  the  next  year :  —  it  is  for  an  acre  of  the  yellow 
locust,  having  not  less  than  1000  trees.  The  yellow  locust, 
(Rabinia  pseudo  acacia,)  is  the  common  locust  of  our  country, 
and  well  known  to  everybody.  It  has  much  to  recommend 
it.  The  ravages  of  the  locust  borer  has,  for  forty  years,  per- 
haps, discouraged  its  cultivation  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
Before  that  period  it  was  thought,  by  discerning  men,  a  most 
valuable  tree,  and  is  still  thought  so  in  Europe,  where,  as  the 
late  learned  Professor  Peck  has  said,  '  this  insect  does  not  ex- 
ist.' It  was  cultivated  in  old  times  for  various  reasons.  Planted 
on  gravelly  and  sterile  lands,  where  it  grows  freely,  it   was 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CKOrS,  &C.  271 

found  greatly  to  fertilize  the  ground.  It  was  considered  valu- 
able for  its  great  durability  when  used  for  posts  and  as  timber. 
It  was  used  for  tree-nails  in  ship-building,  not  only  for  its 
strength  and  durability,  but  from  its  not  shrinking  like  other 
wood.  It  was  esteemed  for  its  quickness  of  growth,  its  beauty 
as  an  ornamental  tree,  and  its  aptitude  to  perpetuate  itself  by 
its  roots,  which  run  near  the  surface  of  the  ground,  —  and  if 
wanted  for  no  other  purpose,  could  be  used  as  a  most  pleasant 
article  of  fiiel,  as  much  so  as  walnut.  At  the  present  time, 
nothing  but  the  worm  prevents  our  holding  the  locust  in  the 
same  estimation  our  ancesters  did,  and  shall  this  discourage  us 
so  much  as  not  only  to  prevent  our  planting,  but  incHne  us  to 
extirpate  the  few  trees  that  remain  ?  Rather  let  us  encourage 
the  tree  and  endeavor  to  extirpate  the  worm.  This  would  be 
a  much  wiser  as  well  as  a  more  manly  course.  There  are 
parts  of  the  country,  the  more  southern  parts,  it  is  said,  where 
this  insect  does  not  abound  or  is  not  known,  and  why  may  we 
not  hope,  ere  long,  to  be  freed  from  it?  At  worst,  the  locust 
will  do  for  fire-wood,  though  liable  at  present  to  be  blown 
down  before  it  attains  much  size,  —  and  for  this  purpose  alone, 
considering  that  our  forests  are  disappearing,  —  it  is  well  worthy 
of  public  attention.  Bad  as  the  case  is,  it  may  be  much 
doubted,  whether,  as  it  can  be  so  easily  done,  so  good  a  use 
can  be  made  of  our  gravel  knolls  and  barren  spots  as  to  plant 
them  with  the  yellow  locust. 

Framingham,  Nov.  15th,  1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  I  have  been  induced  by  the  premium  offered 
by  you,  to  plant  out  an  acre  of  Yellow  Locust  trees.  In  the 
spring  of  1828,  I  procured  at  the  seed-store  of  Mr  Russell,  in 
Boston,  a  quantity  of  seed,  and  poured  into  it  boiling  water, 
and  suffered  it  to  soak  therein  three  or  four  days.  Then  I 
sowed  it  in  the  garden,  and  carefully  weeded  the  plants ;  many 
of  them  grew  to  the  height  of  four  and  a  half  feet  that  season. 
In  the  spring  following,  I  transplanted  them  on  to  about  two 


272  GKAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &LC. 

thirds  of  an  acre  of  poor,  worn-out  land,  placing  them  in  rows 
8  feet  apart,  and  at  4  feet  distance  in  the  rows.  On  one  side 
of  this  plat  in  1829, 1  sowed  more  seed,  with  the  view  of  mak- 
ing a  hedge  fence  with  them,  and  of  supplying  more  trees  to 
make  out  the  acre.  1  have  this  season  covered  over  an  acre 
with  the  trees  of  the  two  seasons,  and  there  are  more  than  1000 
trees  on  the  acre.  On  two  thirds  of  the  acre,  therefore,  the  trees 
are  now  of  three  years'  growth  —  on  the  other  third,  of  two 
years'  growth.  On  the  best  of  the  land  some  of  the  trees  are 
four  and  a  half  inches  in  circumference,  and  seven  feet  high. 
I  chose  a  poor  soil  for  the  trees  that  they  might  enrich  it. 

I  notice  that  wherever  Yellow  Locust  trees  grow,  the  grass 
under  them  is  not  only  much  increased  in  quantity,  but  that  the 
cattle  eat  it  in  preference  to  other  grass  —  always  biting  it  close 
to  the  ground.  I  therefore  prefer  it  for  hedges  to  any  other 
live  growth  —  for,  so  far  from  injuring  our  pastures,  they  are  a 
positive  benefit  to  them.         Respectfully  yours, 

William  Buckminster. 
destroying  bee  moth. 

10.  Mr  John  Stone,  of  Sudbury,  in  Middlesex,  has  made 
known  his  method  of  securing  his  bee-hives  from  the  bee-moth. 
The  committee  recommend  the  publication  of  this  statement, 
considering  every  hint  on  this  subject  as  worthy  of  notice ;  but  as 
the  same  in  substance  has  been  recommended  by  others,  they 
do  not  think  it  merits  the  premium.    ^ 

I,  John  Stone,  of  Sudbury,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  and 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  do  testify  and  say,  that  I 
have  kept  bees,  for  the  term  of  ten  years  last  past ;  that  for 
several  years  my  bees  were  very  much  injured  by  the  bee- 
moth,  so  called;  I  lost  two  hives  of  bees,  which  were  wholly 
destroyed  by  them ;  every  bee  was  killed  and  all  the  honey 
and  comb  consumed,  and  the  hive  filled  with  web.  In  the 
spring  of  1824  or  1825,  about  the  first  of  April,  I  raised  ray 
hives  about  |  of  an  inch,  by  putting  a  small  block  of  that  thick- 
ness under  each  corner  of  the   hive  ;  immediately  the  bees 


GRAIN,  VEGETABLE  CROPS,  &.C.  273 

commenced  the  work  of  destruction  upon  the  moth-worm,  and 
entirely  cleared  the  hives  of  them.  I  have  followed  the  prac- 
tice ever  since,  and  have  never  received  any  injury  from  the 
bee-moth,  the  worm  having  been  invariably  destroyed  by  the 
bees,  and  brought  out  of  the  hives.  The  hives  have  remained 
in  this  situation  till  the  month  of  October,  when  I  have  taken 
away  the  blocks  and  let  them  down.  John  Stone. 

Middlesex  ss.  Sept.  27,  1 830.  Personally  appeared  John 
Stone,  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  affidavit,  by 
him  subscribed.     Before  me, 

Isaac  Fiske,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

extirpating  borer. 
1 1.  Mr  David  Prouty,  of  Hanover,  Plymouth  County,  has  sent 
a  letter  to  the  Trustees,  dated  Oct.  19,  1830,  on  the  subject 
of  the  Apple  Borer,  which  the  committee  advise  to  have  pub- 
lished with  this  report.  They  fear,  however,  that  no  effectual 
remedy  has  yet  been  formed  to  extirpate  this  most  mischievous 
worm.  They  invite  further  attempts  to  destroy  this  enemy  of 
our  favorite  fruit  tree. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

P.  C.  Brooks,   Chairman. 

Hanover,  Oct.  19tb,  1830. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 
Gentlemen  —  The  cheapest   and  most  effectual  mode  of 
extirpating  the  Borer  that  attacks  the   apple  tree,  which  has 
come  to    my   knowledge,  is,  the   application  of  sharp,  coarse 
gravel,  applied  as  follows  :   viz.  dig  off  the  turf  about  4  inches 
deep,  6  inches  to  a  foot  from  the  tree  ;  spread  about  half  a  com- 
mon cart-load  of  the  afore  described  gravel,  so  as  to  come  in 
close  contact  with  the  tree  —  this  article  the  borer  dislikes,  and 
immediately  makes  his  escape  ;  —  this  has   been    entirely  and 
completely  successful  in  my  orchards  for  three  years  past ;  it 
may  have  been  tried  by  others,  but  I  have  seen  no  account  of  it. 
9 


274  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

I  would  recommend   a  general   trial  the  ensuing  year,  having 
the  fullest  confidence  in  its  entire  success. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

Daniel  Proutt 


REPORT   OF   THE   COMMITTEE  ON    THE   BEST  CULTIVATED 

FARMS. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Trustees  to  examine  and 
consider  the  clnims  for  premiums  for  the  best  cultivated  Farms, 
submit  the  following  Report: 

The  Committee  have  been  disa])pointed  to  find  only  two  ap- 
plications for  premiums,  for  the  best  cultivated  Farms.  They 
flatter  themselves,  however,  that  this  has  not  happened  through 
any  indifference  to  the  subject,  among  our  intelligent  and  re- 
spectable farmers,  but  to  its  novelty,  and  their  not  receiving 
notice  in  season  to  comply  with  the  conditions  prescribed.  They 
are  the  more  confirmed  in  this  opinion,  from  finding  that  one  of 
the  applicants  states,  that  he  received  information  that  such  a 
premium  was  offered,  only  two  days  before  he  made  out  his 
statement  on  the  18th  of  October. 

The  public  will  perceive,  that  the  Trustees  have  appropriated 
a  considerable  portion  of  their  income  to  this  object.  It  was 
done  after  much  consideration,  and  a  full  persuasion  that  it 
would  prove  useful.  The  only  doubt  they  have  ever  enter- 
tained of  its  expediency  arose,  from  the  district,  over  which 
the  society  extends,  being  so  large  that  it  would  not  be  practi- 
cable for  the  Trustees,  personally,  to  visit  and  inspect  the  farms 
of  the  applicants.  In  this  respect,  the  local  or  county  societies 
have  a  great  advantage  over  ours.  They  can  inspect  the  farm 
of  every  applicant,  and  verify  or  disprove  his  statements  with 
their  own  eyes.  Premiums  for  this  object  have  been  granted 
by  some,  if  not  all  of  these  societies,  for  several  years  past,  and 
in  the  judgment  of  your  committee,  are  among  the  most  profit- 
able to  the  public  that  can  be  proposed. 


THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  275 

To  remedy  these  disadvantages  on  the  part  of  this  society, 
as  far  as  possible,  the  Trustees  accompanied  their  offer  of  pre- 
miums, with  a  requirement  of  a  full  and  particular  statement 
by  every  applicant,  of  the  number  of  acres  in  his  farm,  the 
quality  of  the  soil,  the  proportion  of  tillage,  mowing,  and  pas- 
ture, his  manner  of  making  manure,  the  quantity  and  manner 
of  using  it,  the  rotation  of  crops  he  found  most  successful,  and 
the  quantities  of  those  crops,  and  other  particulars  specified  in 
their  publication,  in  January  last,  announcing  the  premiums  they 
proposed  to  give.  These  statements,  it  was  intended,  should, 
like  specifications  annexed  to  patents  for  manufactures,  be  so 
full  and  particular,  as  to  enable  any  intelligent  farmer  who 
should  read  them,  to  adopt  the  whole,  or  so  much  as  he  thought 
applicable  to  any  of  them,  in  the  management  of  his  own  farm. 
Applications,  it  was  expected,  would  be  numerous,  and  the 
statements  accompanying  them,  when  published,  it  was  thought 
would  impart  to  agriculturists  information  adapted  to  their  case, 
and  on  which  they  might  with  safety  rely.  By  these  they 
might  learn  the  opinions  and  practice  of  skilful  and  practical 
farmers,  who  cultivated  the  same  kind  of  soil,  and  paid  like 
prices  for  labor  with  themselves.  The  high  character  of  our 
respectable  farmers  for  veracity  and  fairness,  was  considered  a 
sufficient  pledge  against  any  intentional  misrepresentations  or 
misstatements ;  and  if  it  should  happen  that  some  of  the  state- 
ments should  be  a  little  exaggerated,  it  was  thought  the  evil  could 
not  be  great ;  since  at  worst  it  would  be  the  statement  of  a  good 
farmer  of  what  he  considered  the  best  way  of  cultivating  such 
land,  or  perhaps  a  slight  exaggeration  of  his  crop.  Even  this 
might  be  more  safely  trusted,  and  be  more  useful,  than  a  mere 
theoretical  essay  of  an  inexperienced  man. 

The  Trustees  were  sensible,  that  in  requiring  this  particular 
statement  from  applicants,  they  imposed  on  men  some  care  and 
trouble,  but  it  was  believed  they  would  not  be  unwilling  to  sub- 
mit to  a  necessary  degree  of  both,  for  the  benefit  of  their 
brethren  ;  and  that  they  might  also  justly  feel  some  gratifica- 
tion in  exhibiting  to  the  public  the  way  and  means  by  which 


276  THE    BEST    CTTF.TIVATED    FARMS, 

they  successfully  pursued  the  most  honorable  and  useful  calling 
of  a  citizen.  They  intended,  moreover,  by  the  liberal  premi- 
ums they  offered,  to  bestow  a  bounty  on  the  successful  candi- 
dates. 

These  are  some  of  the  motives  and  views  which  influenced 
the  Trustees  in  establishing  premiums  for  the  best  cultivated 
farms ;  and  they  still  cherish  the  expectation  that  a  generous 
competition  for  them  in  future  years,  will  render  them  a  suc- 
cessful means  of  conveying  practical  information,  founded  on 
actual  experiments,  to  the  agriculturists  of  our  country. 

Mr  Erastus  Ware,  who  for  several  years  past  has  been  tenant  of 
a  farm  in  Salem,  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  the  late  Col.  Pickman, 
has  claimed  a  premium  for  this  farm.  By  his  statement,  which 
will  be  published,  it  appears  that  the  farm  contains  428  acres, 
of  which  300  are  rocky  and  broken  land,  and  used  as  a  pas- 
ture ;  63  are  English  mowing,  44  salt  marsh  and  meadow,  and 
21  tillage. 

This  farm  is  situate  near  a  market  town,  Salem ;  and  the 
principal  object  of  the  tenant  is  to  produce  milk  to  supply  that 
market.  He  appears,  also,  to  derive  a  considerable  profit  from 
apples.  He  enjoys,  moreover,  the  advantage  of  purchasing 
manure  when  needed  ;  and  what  is  better,  of  making  it  from 
eelgrass,  kelp,  and  rockweed,  which  he  gathers  from  the 
beach  ;  and  the  former,  eelgrass,  puts  into  his  hogpen  and  cow- 
yard,  and  the  latter  spreads  green  on  his  grass  land.  Bog  mud 
he  likewise  carts  into  his  barnyard,  and  mixes  with  other  ma- 
nure. 

Mr  Ware  has  not  given  so  particular  an  account  of  his  rota- 
tion of  crops  as  could  be  wished,  but  as  his  purpose  was  to 
keep  as  many  cows  as  his  farm  would  support,  it  is  to  be  pre- 
'sumed  he  kept  his  land  up  no  longer  than  was  necessary  to  sub- 
due, mellow,  and  renovate  it. 

His  potatoes  were  principally  raised  on  land  newly  broken 
up,  on  which  manure,  at  the  rate  of  eight  or  ten  cords  to  the 
acre,  taken  from  the  barnyard,  and  composed  of  litter  and  de- 
posits of  the  cattle,  was  spread  and  ploughed  under  the  sod. 


THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  277 

He  states  that  he  has  found  fresh  or  long  manure  best  for  corn 
and  potatoes,  and  the  old  and  rotten  for  small  vegetables,  espe- 
cially tap  rooted  articles.  This,  it  is  believed,  is  no  new  or 
uncommon  opinion.  Mr  Ware  also,  says,  that  he  never  puts 
manure  of  any  kind  on  his  land  the  year  he  sows  it  with  small 
grain,  that  he  usually  lays  it  down  with  barley  in  the  spring,  and 
that  he  has  often  been  successful  in  taking  off  a  crop  of  early 
potatoes  in  the  fall,  and  sowing  grass  seed  alone  upon  the  land 
the  same  year.  The  crop  must  be  gathered  early,  to  render 
this  practice  advisable.  His  practice,  he  says,  has  been  to  sow 
a  peck  and  a  half  of  herdsgrass,  and  three  pecks  of  redtop 
to  the  acre.  These  quantities,  we  believe,  are  greater  than  are 
usually  sown,  but  his  crop  of  grass,  nearly  two  tons  to  the  acre, 
for  more  than  sixty  acres  together,  seems  to  prove  ,that  the  seed 
was  not  unprofitably  expended.  In  many  parts  of  the  state,  it 
is  to  be  feared,  farmers  suffer  from  being  too  sparing  of  their 
seed. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  Mr  Ware, 
founded  on  considerable  experience,  that  Indian  corn  derives 
no  support  to  the  stalks,  nor  any  other  advantage  from  hilling, 
and  that  the  roots  will  be  better  nourished,  and  the  corn  less 
likely  to  be  injured  by  the  drought  or  wind,  where  the  land  lies 
nearly  flat,  than  where  it  is  drawn  up  around  the  stalks  in  a 
high  hill. 

The  statement  shows  that  this  farm  has  been  cultivated  with 
judgment,  economy,  and  skill,  in  husbandry ;  and  this  impres- 
sion, we  think,  its  appearance  would  make  on  any  agriculturist 
who  should  happen  to  pass  by  it.  The  barns  are  large,  but 
one  of  them  is  on  a  model  for  saving  and  preserving  manure 
and  vegetables  for  the  use  of  the  stock  in  the  winter,  which 
might  be  adopted  with  advantage  in  smaller  buildings.  The 
crops  of  the  last  year  taken  together  were  large,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved kw,  if  any,  farms  in  Massachusetts  will  be  found  to  have 
yielded  a  greater  profit  to  the  cultivator.  The  expense  for  la- 
bor, it  will  be  seen,  was  small,  in  proportion  to  the  work  done. 
His  fifty  cows,  averaged  277  gallons  of  milk  for  the  season, 


278  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

which  was  the  principal,  and  probably  the  most  profitable,  pro- 
duct of  the  farm. 

As  the  milk  was  sent  to  market  instead  of  being  manufactur- 
ed into  butter  and  cheese  on  the  farm,  an  account  of  the  man- 
agement of  it  possibly  may  not  be  so  generally  useful  to  agri- 
culturists, as  a  like  intelligent  account  of  the  management  of  a 
dairy  farm  might  prove.  We  think,  however,  the  manner  in 
which  Mr  Ware  has  cultivated  this  farm,  and  the  great  product 
he  has  obtained,  which  is  among  the  best  tests  of  skilful  hus- 
bandry, deserve  great  commendation  and  entitle  him  to  a  pre- 
mium. 

The  committee  think  it  also  deserving  of  special  notice,  that 
Mr  Ware  carried  on  this  extensive  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of 
a  great  market  town,  without  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  except 
for  medical  purposes.  It  appears  that  the  laborers  were  sup- 
plied freely  with  family  beer,  molasses  and  water,  and  cider 
with  their  food,  and  nothing  more.  This  practice  the  commit- 
tee consider  a  saving  of  expense  to  the  farmer,  and  health  to 
the  laborer  ;  and  although  not  very  uncommon  at  this  day,  it  is 
on  a  large  scale  and  highly  creditable  to  the  parties,  and  it  is 
hoped  will  serve  to  encourage  others  to  imitate  their  example. 
The  committee  recommend  that  a  premium  of  .^75  be  awarded 
to  Mr  Ware,  for  the  skilful  and  successful  manner  in  which  he 
has  cultivated  his  farm. 

A  claim  has  also  been  made  by  Jonathan  Allen,  Esq.  of 
Pittsfield,  in  the  county  of  Berkshire,  for  a  premium  for  his 
valuable  farm  in  that  town.  The  farm  contains  250  acres,  and 
appears  to  be  improved  principally  as  a  Sheep  Farm.  It  is 
washed  on  one  side  by  the  Housatonic,  which  annually  overflows 
a  tract  of  40  acres  of  meadow,  bordering  on  it,  and  leaves  a  de- 
posit on  the  land  that  renders  any  further  manure  or  dressing 
unnecessary.  From  this  tract,  if  Mr  Allen  is  not  mistaken  in  his 
estimate,  he  gathers  annually  from  eighty  to  ninety  tons,  better 
than  two  tons  and  a  quarter  to  an  acre,  of  the  best  of  English 
hay.  A  young  orchard  of  about  eighteen  acres,  and  about  five 
acres  more  of  the  upland,  are  laid  down  to  grass  for  hay  ;  the 
rest  of  the  farm  is  pastured  and  tilled  alternately. 


THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  279 

The  rotation  of  crops  he  has  usually  practised,  has  been 
wheat  or  rye  the  first  year,  Indian  corn  or  potatoes  the  second, 
and  the  third  to  lay  the  land  down  with  oats,  or  some  other 
spring  grain,  and  herdsgrass  and  clover.  His  practice  is  to 
sow  four  quarts  of  each,  but  it  is  to  be  observed  that  it  is  for 
pastin-e,  if  that  ought  to  make  any  difference  in  the  quantity. 
He  lays  down  in  this  manner  about  ten  acres  annually. 

Mr  Allen  informs  us  that  he  has  tried  different  seasons  and 
ways  of  sowing  grass  seed,  viz.  —  in  the  fall  with  rye,  and 
alone  in  October  after  taking  off  a  crop  of  corn,  and  upon  the 
snow  covering  wheat  or  rye,  and  in  the  spring  with  oats  or  other 
spring  grain,  and  that  he  is  satisfied  the  last  is  the  best  time  and 
way  of  sowing  it.  He  observes  that  he  made  several  experi- 
ments of  sowing  grass  seed  alone  in  the  fall,  but  always  found 
that  the  grass  did  not  get  to  maturity  the  next  season. 

We  are  informed  that  a  committee  of  the  Agricultural  So- 
ciety of  that  county,  judged  that  as  many  as  three  or  four  acres, 
out  of  eleven  acres  of  corn  planted  by  him  this  year,  would 
yield  as  much  as  90  bushels  to  the  acre,  and  awarded  him  a 
premium  for  it.  The  land  on  which  this  crop  was  raised  was 
broken  up  the  same  year,  having  been  manured  on  the  grass 
for  three  or  four  years  before,  and  was  dunged  in  the  hill  with 
manure  from  the  hogpen,  when  it  was  planted. 

Mr  Allen  has  not  stated  the  quantities  of  manure  used  by 
him  in  any  case,  and  as  to  most  of  his  crops  has  given  us  only 
an  estimate  of  their  amount.  This  omission,  we  suppose,  may 
be  owing  to  his  not  receiving  the  notification  of  the  Trustees 
offering  this  premium,  and  prescribing  the  particular  informa- 
tion that  must  accompany  his  application,  until  his  manure  had 
been  applied  and  most  of  his  crops  gathered.  The  first  no- 
tice he  received,  he  says,  was  only  two  days  before  he  made 
out  his  statement,  viz.  the  16th  of  October. 

The  committee  much  regret  this  accident,  but  they  consider 
that  the  utility  of  the  premiums  on  farms  will  essentially  de- 
pend on  their  obtaining  from  the  applicants  a  precise  specifica- 
tion of  their  whole  process  of  carrying  them  on,  and  of  the 


280  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

crops  they  yielded  ;  and  that  from  the  want  of  this  particularity 
in  Mr  Allen's-  statement,  the  Trustees  would  not  be  justified 
in  awarding  him  a  premium. 

William  Prescott,  Chairman. 

[To  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.] 

PiTTSFiELD,  Oct.  18,  1830. 
Dear  Sir.  —  On  Saturday  the  16th  inst.  was  the  first  time 
that  I  saw  or  knew  of  the  premiums  offered  by  the  Massachu- 
setts Agricultural  Society,  for  the  best  improved  farm.  I 
therefore  shall  be  unable  to  make  all  the  statements  I  wish 
to  make,  with  that  accuracy  that  is  desirable  and  which  maybe 
required,  but  I  shall  make  an  attempt.  I  therefore  offer  my 
farm  which  lies  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  of  Pittsfield,  upon 
the  Boston  and  Albany  stage  road,  containing  two  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  or  thereabout.  The  soil  alluvial  and  loam  ;  which 
farm  I  purchased  ten  years  since  and  for  which  I  paid  nearly 
14,000  dollars,  [have  forty  acres  of  good  wood  land,  prin- 
cipally covered  with  the  sugar  maple.  I  have  also  in  one 
square  lot  forty  acres  of  meadow,  almost  perfectly  level,  and 
irrigated  or  overflowed  by  the  waters  of  the  Housatonic 
river,  (by  which  it  is  bounded  on  the  east,)  in  the  spring  of  the 
year  when  the  snow  melts  away,  generally,  and  sometimes  twice 
or  thrice  in  a  year,  so  that  it  never  requires  any  manure,  and 
I  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  keep  up  my  fences  and  cut  the 
grass,  which  is  all  of  an  excellent  quality,  consisting  of  herds 
or  timothy,  clover  and  fine  English,  and  produces  annually 
from  eighty  to  ninety  tons.  This  lot  lies  upon  the  east  side 
of  the  road,  opposite  to  my  house,  and  the  residue  of  my 
farm  upon  the  west  side  of  the  road,  pretty  nearly  in  a  square 
form,  a  little  elevated  above  the  meadow,  say  S  or  10  feet, 
and  rises  but  little  to  the  western  extreme  of  the  farm.  I 
have  an  orchard  lot  consisting  of  about  eighteen  acres, 
which  I  mow,  and  obtain  between  twenty  and  thirty  loads 
of  excellent  hay.  I  have  also  mowed  five  acres  in  another 
lot,  which    was   seeded   two   years    since,   which    produced 


THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  281 

five  or  six  loads,  making  in  all  between  120  and  130  loads  of 
first  quality  of  herdsgrass  and  clover  hay,  which  we  have 
estimated  at  one  ton  to  the  load  as  we  get  in,  well  made.  The 
residue  of  my  farm  consists  of  pasturage  and  tillage,  say  147 
acres,  all  good,  which  I  have  improved  alternately  for  pasture 
and  tillage  by  a  rotation  of  crops,  first  for  wheat  and  rye,  then 
corn,  then  oats  or  other  spring  grain  with  clover  and  grass. 

I  have  improved  it  the  present  season  as  follows ;  of  winter 
crops,  12  acres  of  rye  which  was  an  excellent  crop,  but  not 
measured,  and  two  acres  of  winter  wheat  which  was  sowed 
upon  corn  ground  after  the  corn  was  taken  oft',  and  produced, 
as  it  Vv^as  sowed  rather  too  late,  but  32  bushels.  I  have  also 
raised  this  year  5  acres  of  oats,  which  produced  122  shocks, 
some  of  which  we  have  threshed,  which  have  yielded  two  bush- 
els per  shock ;  if  the  whole  should  yield  in  like  manner,  the 
five  acres  will  give  244  bushels,  or  nearly  50  bushels  per  acre, 
upon  which  land  I  had  beans  and  oats  last  year.  With  a  little 
manure  I  also  sowed  one  bushel  of  marrowfat  pease,  which  sup- 
phed  my  family  and  several  of  my  neighbors  with  green  pease. 
I  harvested  eight  bushels  well  dried  and  fine  for  seed.  1  have 
also  on  my  farm  two  acres  of  potatoes.  I  have  dug  and 
got  in  one  acre  only,  which  produced  29G  bushels,  besides  what 
were  dug  for  use  for  several  weeks,  —  so  that  J  can  safely  say 
that  this  acre  yielded  something  more  than  300  bushels  of  the 
flesh  color,  and  worth  double  the  common  potatoes. 

I  have  raised  this  season  about  11  acres  of  corn  of  the  small 
early  eight  rowed  ears  which  is  a  very  good  crop,  and  will  pro- 
duce as  determined  by  a  committee  of  an  Agricultural  Society, 
90  bushels  to  the  acre,  that  is,  for  three  or  four  of  the  best  acres ; 
for  which  they  gave  me  the  Society's  third  premium.  The  land 
on  which  it  was  raised  has  been  mowed  for  three  or  four  years, 
and  last  year  broken  up  and  hog-dung  put  into  every  hill,  — hills 
at  three  feet  apart.  My  farm  is  divided  by  a  lane  through 
the  whole  and  fenced  on  either  side,  and  dien  divided  into  10 
and  20  acre  lots  opening  to  the  centre  lane,  so  that  I  have 
more  than  G  miles  of  fence,  a  part  of  which  is  half  wall. 
10 


282  THK  BEST  CULTIVATSD  FARMS. 

I  have  also  rrisecl  this  year  two  acres  of  spring  rye, 
which  I  have  not  threshed,  which  I  think  will  give  nr.e  20 
bushels  per  acre.  —  I  have  also  raised  twenty  acres  of  small 
white  beans  v\?hich  I  have  not  yet  gathered,  and  which  I 
estimate  to  yield  fifteen  bushels  to  the  acre,  or  about  300 
bushels  in  all.  This  field  was  planted  two  years  since  to  corn 
and  then  to  rye  and  oats.  —  I  have  ploughed  and  summer-fal- 
lowed twenty  acres  of  old  pasture  where  my  sheep  have  run, 
and  sowed  it  to  rye  and  three  acres  more  to  winter  wheat ;  all 
sowed  about  the  last  of  August  now  looks  finely,  and  if  nothing 
befalls  it,  I  think  I  may  safely  calculate  upon  thirty  bushels  to 
the  acre. — The  number  of  apple  trees  in  ray  orchard  is  149. 
Six  years  since  I  put  in  1000  grafts  by  contract,  principally  of 
winter  fruit,  such  as  Greenings,  Spltzenbergs,  Gilliflowers,  Rus- 
sets, Golden  Sweetings  and  Seeknofurthers,  &;c,  &;c,  from  which 
I  last  year  made  36  barrels  of  cider  and  put  up  about  100 
bushels  of  fine  winter  apples.  To  my  trees  I  have  done  noth- 
ing but  trim  and  scrape.  This  year,  owing  to  a  late  frost,  I  shall 
not  bave  five  bushels  in  all.  My  manner  of  making  cider  is  the 
common  way.  As  to  saving  grass  seed,  I  usually  seed  down 
about  10  acres  annually  with  four  quarts  of  clover  and  4  quarts 
herdsgrass  to  the  acre.  I  have  made  several  experiments. 
After  taking  off  a  corn  crop,  I  have  ploughed  and  sowed 
nothing  but  grass  seed  ;  this  was  done  in  the  month  of  October, 
and  it  took  well,  but  did  not  get  to  maturity  fully  the  next  sea- 
son. I  have  also  sowed  with  rye  in  the  fall,  and  also  upon 
snow  covering  wheat  and  rye,  and  also  in  the  spring  with  spring 
wheat,  rye  and  oats,  and  I  am  satisfied  that  to  sow  clover 
and  herdsgrass  in  the  spring  with  oats  is  the  best  time  and 
way.  Another  experiment  may  possibly  be  useful.  Eight 
years  since  I  ploughed  and  fenced  about  two  acres  of  good 
land  upon  which  I  planted  one  bushel  of  butternuts,  one  ditto  of 
walnuts,  and  one  bushel  of  chesnuts,  and  smaller  quantities  of 
apples,  peaches,  pears,  quinces,  hazlenuts  and  filberts,  most  of 
which  failed  save  only  a  few  peaches,  several  chesnuts  and 
filberts.     The   filberts  I  have  transplanted  near  to  my  house, 


THE  BS3T  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  283 

and  have  now  probably  100  bushes  which  have  borne  consid- 
erably the  two  last  years,  as  large  as  any  of  the  imported.  The 
late  frost  prevented  their  bearing  this  year,  but  I  have  no 
doubt  taa';-  they  can  be  grown  here  plentifully  with  little 
trouble.  My  barn  is  100  feet  long  and  40  feet  wide,  stand- 
ing easi  and  west,  with  a  floor  through  it  lengthwise  over  which 
is  another  floor,  each  twelve  feet  wide.  Upon  the  south  side  of 
my  barn  I  have  a  tier  of  stables  extending  the  whole  length  12 
feet  wide,  which  is  sufficient  to  put  up  25  head  of  catde.  I 
have  one  shed  extending  from  the  west  end  of  my  barn  south 
120  feet,  half  of  it  20  feet  in  width  and  the  other  half  14  feet, 
capable  of  holding  30  or  40  loads  of  hay  over  head.  I 
have  three  or  four  other  sheds  temporary  or  of  less  value. 
My  barnyard  is  120  feet  square  divided  by  a  line  of  fence 
through  the  centre  each  way  making  four  yards  of  about  60 
feet  square,  with  a  shed  for  each  and  a  well  of  water  in  the 
centre,  from  which  I  water  each  yard,  in  each  of  which  I  have 
wintered  about  100  sheep,  and  make  my  manure  principally 
by  bedding  them  with  stravt^.  I  have  kept  the  last  year  two 
yoke  of  oxen  and  one  yoke  of  steers,  five  cows  and  nine  head 
of  young  cattle,  three  horses  and  one  colt  and  425  first  quality 
Merino  and  Saxony  sheep.  We  have  made  butter  and  cheese 
only  enough  for  family  use.  Although  my  stock  of  cows  are  of 
the  first  quality,  yet  my  family  is  large  and  consume  all  they 
produce  ;  for  one  of  my  cows,  which  is  only  3  years  old,  I  last 
week  received  this  Society's  first  premium  as  the  best  among 
,  37  cows  offered  for  premium ;  her  calf  now  is  only  four  weeks 
old,  and  she  is  a  descendant  of  the  stock  of  cattle  called  the 
Gore  breed,  I  believe  from  a  bull  imported  by  the  late  Gov- 
ernor Gore  ;  at  any  rate,  from  my  connexion  with  the  Berkshire 
Agricultural  Society,  I  was  induced  to  purchase  some  of  the 
finest  cattle  of  our  part  of  the  country,  and  for  the  ancestor  of 
this  cow  I  paid  ^100.  My  other  cows  and  stock  are  of  the 
Holdcrness  stock.  Of  swine,  I  only  keep  and  fat  enough  for 
family  use  and  some  little  surplus  to  pay  laborers.  I  am  now 
feeding  8  of  the  Byefield  breed,  a  part  of  which  I  think  will 


284  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

weigh  about  300-  lbs.  each.  As  to  the  amount  of  labor,  for 
the  last  year  I  have  hired  only  one  man,  and  have  two  boys 
almost  men  ;  and  in  haying  and  threshing,  day  laborers,  which 
in  all  probably  costs  me  f  140  or  .$'150  inclusive  of  board.  I 
would  also  add  that  in  consequence  of  tilling  so  much  land,  I 
have  hired  100  of  my  sheep  pastured  the  past  summer. 
To  recapitulate  — 

63  acres  of  meadow  land 
12    do.  winter  rye 
2    do.      do.    wheat 
5    do.  oats 
2    do.  potatoes 
11    do.  corn 

2    do.  spring  rye 
20    do.  beans 


117 

20 

acres 

sowed 

to  winter  rye 

3 

do. 

do. 

to 

do. 

wheat 

140 

40 

wood 

70 

pasture 

250 

It  will  be  seen  that  I  have  mowed  and  tilled  this  year  140 
acres,  17  of  which  has  been  seeded  down  to  grass. 

My  stock  is  as  follows,  viz.  425  sheep,  20  head  of  cattle,  4 
horses,  10  wild  geese,  and  a  few  India  geese  presented  to  me 
by  Gorham  Parsons,  Esq.  a  few  years  since.  Poultry  in 
abundance,  of  many  sorts. 

This  rough  draft  was  drawn  up  last  evening  and  this  morn- 
ing in  much  haste,  and  is  imperfect  for  want  of  more  time.  Yet 
it  is  as  I  believe  true. 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  very  respectfully 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

Jonathan  Allen. 


THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  285 

BerTishire  ss.  Pittsjield  Oct.  18,  1830. — The  foregoing  was 
sworn  to  before  me  as  true. 

Joshua  Danforth,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


[To  the  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  on  Farms.] 
Gentlemen  —  The  farm,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Pick- 
man  Farm,  of  which  the  subscriber  is  at  present  and  has  been 
the  tenant  for  nearly  eleven  years,  is  situated  in  the  southeast- 
erly part  of  Salem  ;  and  comprises  428  acres  of  pasturage,  til- 
lage, and  mowing.  The  pasturage  includes  about  three  hun- 
dred acres,  and  is  broken  and  rocky,  being  similar  to  the  land 
in  Salem  Great  Pasture  so  called,  (which  bounds  the  Salem 
turnpike,)  from  which  a  good  deal  of  it  has  been  taken  by  the 
purchase  of  cow  rights  in  that  pasture  at  different  times.  No 
attempts  have  been  made  to  improve  this  pasture-land,  other 
than  by  clearing  the  bushes,  and  draining  some  low  parts,  as 
there  is  no  prospect  of  a  remuneration  for  such  labor. 

The  amount  of  land  under  tillage  the  present  year,  has  been 
twentyone  acres,  and  the  amount  of  upland,  or  English  mow- 
ing is  sixtythree  acres.  Of  the  tillage  and  mowing  land  a  con- 
siderable part  consists  of  a  thin,  gravelly  soil  of  better  than  a 
medium  quality,  and  favorable  to  all  grain  crops  ;  and  another 
part  consists  of  a  clayey  soil  resting  upon  a  clay  pan,  retentive 
of  moisture,  and  yielding  good  crops  of  grass  and  potatoes, 
under  liberal  manuring  and  cultivation.  The  farm  is  well 
watered ;  and  a  good  deal  of  the  mowing  and  tillage  is  so  liable 
to  be  overflowed  in  the  spring,  and  is  so  saturated  with  moisture, 
that  much  labor  has  been  necessarily  expended  in  draining, 
and  much  of  it  when  laid  down  to  grass  has  been  laid  down  in 
beds  ;  some  of  the  most  productive  grass  land  on  the  place, 
has  been  in  this  way  reclaimed  from  an  unprofitable  marsh  or 
swamp,  and  made  to  yield  very  large  crops  of  grass.  We 
have  no  land  on  the  place,  which  is  irrigated  by  any  artifi- 
cial process.  There  is  of  meadow  land  not  more  than  five 
acres,  which  is  never  tilled  ;  but  which  is  drained  and  yields 


286  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

abundant  crops  of  good  stock  hay.     There  are  of  salt  marsh, 
thirtynine    acres,   yielding   good    crops  of  black  grass  ;  this  is 
ditched,    from   which   well   known  advantages    arise ;  but   no 
other  labor  is  expended  on  it,  other  than  that  of  gathering  the  hay. 
Of  the  cultivated,  land  the  present  year  — 
Five  and  one  half  acres  were  sown  with    Barley, 
Seven          "         "  planted  with         Indian  Corn, 

Four  and  three  fourths,         "         "  Potatoes, 

One  acre,  "         "  Manuel   Wurtzel 

"    third  of  an  acre,  "         "  Onions, 

"    half  acre,  "         "  Winter  Squashes, 

"    acre  "         "  English  Turnips. 

Several  other  smaller  and  scattered  pieces,  the  extent  of 
which  could  not  be  easily  ascertained,  were  planted  with  Eng- 
lish Turnips,  Garden  Vegetables,  Melons,  &ic ;  and  the  miss- 
ing places  in  the  field  of  Mangel  Wurtzel  sowed  with  Ruta 
Baga. 

The  manure  used  on  the  place  has  been  principally  made 
by  the  stock  kept  in  it.  By  the  terms  of  my  lease,  I  am  al- 
lowed to  expend  one  hundred  dollars  a  year  in  manure  ;  but 
having  obtained  a  considerable  quantity  from  the  removal  of 
an  old  barn,  I  have  purchased  for  the  last  four  years,  not  more 
than  to  an  amount  of  sixty  dollars  a  year.  I  have  carted  into 
my  barnyard  considerable  quantities  of  bog  mud  ;  and  obtain 
from  the  neighboring  beaches  some  sea-wreck  —  such  as  eel- 
grass,  which  is  thrown  into  the  pigstyes  and  cowyard  ;  and  kelp 
and  rockweed,  which  is  carried  and  spread  immediately  on  the 
grass  land. 

For  small  grain  crops  no  manure  is  applied  by  me  on  the 
year  of  their  being  sowed,  unless  the  land  is  very  wet  and  cold. 
My  barley  was  raised  on  ground,  on  which  the  preceding  year 
I  had  a  crop  of  potatoes,  which  were  well  manured,  with 
coarse  manure  spread  and  ploughed  under  the  green  sward. 
My  Indian  corn  this  year,  contrary  to  my  usual  practice,  was 
raised  on  land  which  was  planted  the  preceding  year  with  In- 


THE  BEST  CUI-TIVATED  FARMS,  287 

dian  corn.  1  hav^e  found  a  crop  which  shades  the  ground 
most  completely,  is  most  effectual  in  destroying  the  squitch  or 
twitch  grass,  and  this  Avas  an  inducement  to  plant  corn  a  second 
time  on  this  ground.  The  manure  applied  was  at  the  rate  of 
about  eight  cords  to  an  acre  ;  was  taken  from  the  barnyard,  and 
spread  on  the  ground  and  ploughed  in. 

My  potatoes,  witl>the  exception  of  a  few  raised  on  the  bor- 
ders of  some  of  the  fields,  were  raised  on  land  newly  broken 
up ;  and  the  manure  at  the  rate  of  eight  or  nine  cords  taken 
from  the  .  barnyard,  composed  of  litter  and  the  deposits  of  the 
catde,  wa:s.spre5d  Snd  ploughed  under  the  sod. 

The  soil  on  which  my  Indian  corn  was  grown,  was  of  a  high 
gravelly  nature  as  before  described ;  and  that  on  which  the  po- 
tatoes grew  was  'flat,  moist,  and  clayey.  The  potatoes  were 
hoed  twice  and  harrowed  between  the  rows  once.  The  corn 
was  hoed  three  times  ;  but  was  not  hilled,  as  has  been  custom- 
ary; and  upon  a  comparison  of  that  not  hilled  with  a  small 
piece,  which  was  in  some  degree  hilled,  after  a  severe  gale  to 
which  we  were  exposed  in  August,  I  am  satisfied  that  no  ad- 
vantage by  way  of  supporting  the  corn  is  gained  by  hilling,  as 
was  formerly  practised.  My  opinion  is,  that  no  other  advan- 
tage is  gained  by  the  practice  of  hilling  corn ;  and  that  corn 
raised  on  a  flat  surface,  where  the  weeds  are  destroyed,  and 
the  ground  kept  loose,  is  by  no  means  so  likely  to  suffer  by 
drought,  or  to  be  injured  in  its  roots,  or  impeded  in  its  search 
after  its  proper  nutriment,  as  where  the  ground  is  drawn  up 
around  the  stalk  in  a  high  and  steep  hill. 

The  manure  applied  to  my  other  crops  was  of  the  best  kind 
I  could  procure  ;  and  applied  generally,  and  as  nearly  as  can 
be  ascertained  at  the  rate  of  about  ten  cords  to  the  acre.  For 
crops  of  potatoes  and  Indian  corn,  my  experience  leads  me  to 
apply  my  manure  green  and  fresh ;  for  the  smaller  crops,  and 
especially  tap  rooted  plants,  I  prefer  manure  that  is  fine  and 
well  rotLed. 


288  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS, 

The  amount  of  crops  raised  this  season  on  this  farm  is  as 
follows. 


Of  Potatoes     .... 

. 

1220  bushels. 

"  Man2:el  Wurtzel 

. 

600       " 

"  RutaBaga  .          .         .          . 
"  English  or  Flat  Turnips     . 
"  Onions          .          .          .          . 

*    ./J^ 

50       " 

850       " 

"  Indian  Corn 

. 

280       " 

"  Barley         .         .         .          . 
"  Squashes 

"  Cabbages     .         .         .          . 
"  Cider      .... 

.         .          137       " 
.  3  ^  tons. 

120  barrels. 

"  Apples  of  grafted  fruit  . 
"  English  Hay     . 
"  Second  Crop 

1200  bushels, 
.}  iS'^'Tr^    tons. 

8       " 

"  Fresh  Meadow  Hay 

. 

6       " 

«  Salt  Hay       .         .          .         , 

40       " 

Of  Garden  vegetables  the  family  has  had  an  abundant  sup- 
ply, and  many  loads  have  been  marketed  of  which  no  account 
has  been  taken.  The  severe  gale  in  August  very  much  in- 
jured the  crops  of  corn;  and  shook  from  the  trees  nine  hun- 
dred busljels  of  unripe  apples,  which  were  manufactured  to 
very  little  advantage  into  cider,  and  lessened  much  the  expect- 
ed profits  of  the  orchard. 

Of  the  above  crops,  the  grain,  vegetables,  and  fruit  w"ere 
matter  of  exact  measurement ;  the  amount  of  hay  is  given  by 
as  accurate  an  estimation  of  it  in  each  load  by  an  experienced 
and  disinterested  individual,  as  could  be  obtained. 

The  hay  raised  on  the  farm  is  generally  a  mixture  of  herds- 
grass  and  redtop,  with  some  clover.  The  amount  of  seed 
used  in  laying  down  to  grass,  is  one  peck  and  a  half  of  herds- 
grass,  and  three  pecks  of  redtop.  Of  clover  seed,  enough  is 
usually  found  in  the  manure  ;  and  cannot  be  sown  to  advan- 
tage in  rich,  moist  land.  When  I  lay  down  land  to  grass  in 
the  spring,  I  sow  barley  with  the  grass  seed  ;  but  I  have  been 


THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS,  289 

very  successful  in  laying  down  land  to  grass  in  the  fall,  after 
taking  off  a  crop  of  early  potatoes,  in  which  case  nothing  but 
grass  seed  is  sown. 

The  number  of  bearing  trees  on  the  place  is  as  follows  — 

Of  Apple  Trees  (almost  all  engrafted  fruit)         .          .       763 

"  Pear  Trees    .......  65 

"  Cherry  Trees     .......          50 

In  addition,  I  have  a  nursery  containing  3000  trees,  most  of 
which  have  been  engrafted  or  budded. 

Of  the  apple  trees,  some  of  them  are  in  orchards,  the 
ground  about  the  roots  is  cultivated ;  others  of  them  are 
planted  by  the  sides  of  the  stone  walls  ;  and  all  of  them  are 
carefully  pruned.  In  the  mode  of  making  or  managing  my 
cider,  I  have  nothing  peculiar,  it  being  no  object  with  me  to  make 
cider  other  than  to  use  up  the  windfalls  and  the  refuse  of  the 
winter  apples. 

There  are  on  the  farm  two  large  barns,  besides  convenient 
sheds,  cider  house,  and  necessary  out-buildings.  One  of  the 
barns  is  in  length  100  feet;  in  breadth  35  feet.  The  other 
barn  is  in  length  114  feet;  in  breadth  42.  This  barn,  in 
which  the  live  stock  is  principally  kept,  has  a  cellar  under  the 
whole;  the  main  part  of  which  is  for  manure,  and  receives  all 
the  deposits  of  the  catde,  and  a  portion  of  it  is  enclosed  for  a 
vegetable  and  fruit  cellar.  This  barn  has  been  recently  built, 
and  has  a  barn  floor  through  the  whole  length  ;  and  the  cattle 
are  tied  on  one  side  ;  on  the  other  the  hay  comes  to  the  floor. 
The  barn  room  is  not  large  enough  for  stov/ing  all  the  hay,  and 
considerable  quantities  are  necessarily  kept  in  stacks  out  of 
doors. 

The  Live  Stock  kept  on  the  place  is  as  follows  — 
Oxen 


6 

Bull     .       .       .       . 

1 

50 

Horses    . 

3 

5 

Fatting  Swine    . 

.       9 

Cows    .... 
Heifers 

The  weight  of  Pork  is  not  yet  ascertained,  as  the  hogs  have 
not  been  killed  ;  but  the  average  weight  of  my  swine  the   last 
11 


290  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FAflMS. 

year  was  300  lbs.  each  ;    this  year  will  probably   give    the 
same  result. 

The  chief  object  of  the  farm,  is  that  of  supplying  milk  in 
Salem,  where  it  is  sent  in  summer  twice  a  day,  in  winter  once  > 
a  distance  of  about  two  miles. 

The  number  of  gallons  sent  to  market  during  the  year  end- 
ing with  the  first  of  the  present  month  is  .  13,870  gallons. 
Butter,  made  in  the  same  time         .         .  550     lbs. 

Cheese,     "      (called  four  meal  cheese)        .         600      " 

Of  calves  in  the  same  time,  there  has  been  received  for  those 
sold,  ^154.  The  others  have  been  killed  as  soon  as  the  milk 
of  the  cow  was  fit  for  use ;  and  their  skins  sold  for  fifty  cents 
each ;  the  carcases  given  to  the  hogs.  The  cows  are  all  of  native 
breed  ;  and  are  generally  purchased  when  young  from  the 
country,  as  stock  of  this  description  cannot  in  my  situation  be 
raised  to  advantage. 

The  amount  paid  for  labor  the  past  year,  has  been  eight  hun- 
dred and  forty  three  dollars,  y^^J^  .        .         .      ^843  37 

The  amount  received  for  extra  labor  in  improvements 
on  the  farm,  in  labor  on  the  highway  and  other  cases, 
has  been  two  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,         .         .        260  00 


Balance  chargeable  to  the  farm,  ^583  37 

The  laborers  on  the  farm  are  freely  supplied  with  family 
beer,  molasses  and  water,  skim-milk,  and  cider  with  their  food  ; 
but  no  ardent  spirits  are  used  on  the  farm,  excepting  for  medical 
purposes.  In  the  above  amount  of  labor,  no  female  labor  is 
included ;  nor  is  my  own  labor  on  the  farm,  or  in  marketing^ 
or  in  general  superintendence  included. 

I  have  sought  to  answer  fully,  and  as  far  as  is  in  my  power, 
the  various  inquiries  of  the  society ;  but  any  further  suggestions 
I  shall  be  happy  to  attend  to.  I  have  been  bred  to  agriculture 
from  my  childhood,  but  have  had  no  other  advantages  than 
those  derived  from  actual  experience.  So  far  as  my  opinion 
on  the  subject  may  be  deemed  of  any  value,  it  is  in  favor  of 


BRIGHTON    MARKET.  291 

an  alternation  of  crops  on  the  same  land,  and  an  occasional 
change  of  every  kind  of  seed. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Ebastus  Ware. 
Salem,  Dec.  1830. 

Essex,  ss.  Salem,  1th  Dec.   1830. — Then   Erastus  Ware 
personally  appeared  and  made  oath  that  the  aforevvritten  affi- 
davit of  nine  and  one  eighth  pages  by  him  subscribed,  was,  ac- 
cording to  his  best  belief  and  knowledge,  true. 
Before  me, 

Jonathan  P.  Saunders,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BRIGHTON  MARKET  FOR  THE  YEAR  1830. 

Report  of  the  Brighton  Market  for  the  year  1830,  which  will  furnish  to 
the  Farmer,  the  Drover,  and  Grazier,  very  important  information. 

[From  the  Boston  Patriot  and  Mercantile  Advertiser.] 
At  the  request  of  several  gentlemen,  we  have  arranged  the 
following  Report  of  the  Brighton  Market  for  the  year  1830. 
The  slight  degree  of  hostility  exhibited  on  the  first  appearance 
of  our  reports,  has  given  way  to  a  more  just  and  liberal  feeling ; 
and  it  is  now  acknowledged  that  they  have  exercised  a  favora- 
ble influence  on  the  market,  and  tended  to  increase  its  import- 
ance and  usefulness.  These  reports,  given,  we  believe,  with 
the  utmost  impartiality,  furnish  to  the  farmer,  the  drover  and 
the  grazier,  similar  information  to  what  the  merchant  and  man- 
ufacturer derive  from  Prices  Current ;  and  he  goes  on  to  buy 
or  sell,  with  a  degree  of  confidence  otherwise  unattainable. 
Before  our  reports  were  made,  there  would  be  at  one  time  a 
glut,  at  another  a  scarcity;  and  the  grazier  who  had  heard  of 
high  prices,  would  send  a  large  number  of  cattle  to  market, 
which  would  meet  others  pressing  from   all  quarters,  and  be 


292  BRIGHTON    MARKET. 

obliged  to  sell  at  a  loss ;  while  the  report  of  a  glut  would  cause 
him  to  retain  his  cattle,  when  they  might  bring  a  fair  price. 

First  Quarter,  ending  March  30. 

4863  Beef  Cattle,  estimated  sales  |176,009  75 

922  Stores,                 "           "  11,064  00 

11734  Sheep,                 "           "  26,401  50 

2301  Swine,                  "           "  9,204  00 


1222,679  25 


Second  Quarter,  ending  June  30. 

3005  Beef  Cattle,  estimated  sales,     ,  1 102,170  00 

344  Stores,  "  "  6,880  00 

5090  Sheep,  "  «  9,531  67 

2167  Swine,  "  "  8,668  00 


|127,249  67 


Third  Quarter,  ending  September  27. 

5254  Beef  Cattle,  estimated  sales,  f  157,620  00 

4820  Stores,                 "           "  53,020  00 

45367  Sheep,                 "           "  68,050  50 

6202  Swine,                 "           "  18,207  00 


^296,897  50 

Fourth  Quarter,  ending  December  27. 

24645  Beef  Cattle,  estimated  sales  542,190  00 

7600  Stores,  "  "  83,600  00 

70506  Sheep,  «  "  111,634  50 

9969  Swine,  «  «  34,891  50 

^772,316  00 


WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES.  293 


Recapitulation. 

Beef  Cattle, 

37,767       Sales, 

^977,989  75 

Stores, 

13,685 

154,564  00 

Sheep, 

132,697 

215,618  17 

Swine, 

19,639 

70,970  50 

Whole  No.    203,789  |1,419,142  42 

The  above  is  gathered  from  our  weekly  reports,  and  may  be 
considered  nearly  correct  as  to  numbers,  but  as  to  sales  we  may 
have  erred.  It  is,  however,  not  exaggerated.  In  the  last 
quarter  of  the  weekly  reports,  the  beef  cattle  have  not  been  di- 
vided from  the  stores,  but  we  have  come  to  a  division,  as  near 
as  we  could,  from  our  judgment  at  the  time. 

In  1828,  ten  weeks  from  September  29,  (which  are  all  the 
minutes  of  that  year  we  are  in  possession  of)  21,546  cattle, 
39,831  sheep,  and  7127  swine.  In  1829,  ten  weeks  from 
September  28,  21,271  cattle,  31,611  sheep,  and  8,524  swine. 
In  1830,  ten  weeks  from  October  4,  29,549  cattle,  60,179 
sheep,  and  7897  swine.  In  1829,  six  months  from  July  6, 
31,479  cattle,  81,602  sheep,  and  11,702  swine.  In  1830, 
six  months  from  July  7,  42,319  catde,  115,863  sheep,  and 
15,171  swine. 

More  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine  were  probably  driven  the  past 
year  to  this  market,  than  were  ever  before  in  one  year.  The 
beef  catde,  in  particular,  have  been,  through  the  fall  season,  of 
an  uncommonly  good  quality. 


WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES. 

[To  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting 
Agriculture.] 

From  a  variety  of  circumstances,  my  attention  for  a  series  of 
years  has  been  necessarily  drawn  to  the  oversight  of  several 
considerable  tracts  of  wood  land,  in  order  to  effect  a  right 


294  WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES. 

management  of  them.  This  attention  has  become  a  habit  and 
a  source  of  gratification  to  me.  If  any  apology  is  due  for 
the  too  frequent  *  remarks  on  this  subject,  I  must  refer  to  the 
partial  persuasion  of  my  friend  Mr  Lowell,!  whose  valuable  in- 
structions and  labor  as  to  the  forest,  as  well  as  the  garden,  have 
been  so  useful.  On  the  right  management  of  the  wood  lot,  our 
agriculturists  have  been  heretofore  again  and  again  inquired  of, 
and  it  is  most  obvious  that  many  opinions  offered  have  been 
erroneous.  Some  of  these  will  be  stated,  to  show  the  know- 
ledge aimed  at  by  the  society. 

It  will  be  our  endeavor  to  submit  facts  and  inferences,  drawn 
from  repeated  experiments  and  more  intimate  experience  which 
time  has  afforded.  These  may  be  useful  so  far  as  they  are  sus- 
tained by  the  judgment  or  coincidences  in  the  opinion  of  others. 
The  first  question  on  this  head  submitted  by  the  society  is : 
'  Whether  the  growth  of  wood  for  timber  and  fuel,  be  equiv- 
alent to  the  consumption  in  your  vicinity?'  The  universal  reply 
has  been  indicative  of  an  alarming  decrease  in  Massachusetts, 
of  both  timber  and  fuel,  and  that  a  recurrence  in  the  country  is 
had  in  many  places  to  peat,  as  a  substitute  for  the  latter  ;  while 
recently  it  is  well  known,  that  in  populous  places,  and  near  the 
sea  coast,  as  well  as  in  many  of  our  manufacturing  establish- 
ments, there  is  an  increasing  and  extensive  use,  particularly 
of  the  coal  of  our  country,  as  a  subsdtute  for  the  article  of 
wood.  Nor  is  this  to  be  regretted  ;  on  the  contrary,  it 
seems  most  wisely  ordained,  that  while  the  discoveries  of  the 
age  call  for  an  increasing  use  of  fuel,  as  to  which  the  surface  of 
the  earth  could  give  us  no  adequate  supply ;  there  are  beneath 
us  and  at  hand,  inexhaustible  resources  for  every  possible  de- 
mand. It  is  not  to  be  denied,  however,  that  these  are  but  sub- 
stitutes— and  very  inconvenient  ones  in  many  places;  nay, 
more,  that  they  are  generally  recurred  to  from  the  force  of  ne- 
cessity.    To  most  of  those  long  habituated  to  it,  the  cheerful 

•  See  No.  1,  vol.  6  ;  No.  1,  vol.  7,  No.  3,  vol.  8 ;  and  No.  1,  vol.  9. 
t  See  his  Translation  of  Michaux,  and  his  very  many  useful  observations, 
as  well  on  this  as  other  subjects,  in  the  preceding  volumes  of  this  Journal. 


WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES.  295 

blaze  of  a  wood  fire,  has  a  powerful  attraction.  But  if  wood  is 
abandoned  for  fuel,  and  no  means  of  encouragement  are  given 
by  government,  whence  is  our  timber,  he,  to  be  derived.  Here 
with  great  respect  a  consideration  is  submitted  to  our  legis- 
lators, which,  though  familiar  to  many,  may  not,  as  to  its  effects, 
be  so  well  known  to  all. 

By  a  law  passed  March  4,  1829,  it  is  enacted,  '  That  all 
wild  or  unimproved  lands,  shall  hereafter  be  assessed  at  six  per 
centum  instead  of  tivo  per  centum,  on  the  value  thereof!!' 

Excesses  in  legislation  are  apt  to  operate  injuriously,  espe- 
cially when  they  effect  changes  in  long  established  usages. 
The  effect  has  been  herein  sudden  and  violent  in  its  operation 
on  farmers.  Feeling  the  threefold  weight  of  the  tax,  thus  in- 
creased upon  a  capital  not  immedia.t.e]y  productive  to  them,  they 
have  laid  the  axe  to  the  root  so  heartily,  that  wood  at  12  to  20 
miles  from  Boston,  has  actually  been  depressed  in  value  more 
than  one  third,  and  timber  is  of  little  more  value  than  for  fuel ! 
This  was  probably  unforeseen  by  the  legislature,  and  is  to  be 
lamented.  But  it  will  meet  the  attention  it  merits,  from  the 
watchful  guardians  of  the  interests  of  the  commonwealth. 

The  next  inquiry  has  been,  '  what  measures  are  taken  to  pro- 
vide against  the  inconvenience  of  future  scarcity.'  To  this,  the 
answers  given  are  much  to  be  regretted.  In  most  instances,  the 
replies  are,  '  the  wood  lots  are  not  fenced  from  the  habit  of 
economy  and  other  motives,  and  where  cattle  run  at  large  on  the 
commons,  they  eat  and  destroy  most  of  the  sprouts  from  the 
stumps  of  late  fallen  trees.'  In  fact,  unless  there  is  a  surplusage 
of  young  shoots  and  but  very  few  cattle  to  browse,  the  whole 
are  cropped ! 

To  confirm  this,  I  will  state  an  experiment  lately  made. 
On  an  enclosure,  partly  of  good  pasture  land,  in  a  spot  the  most 
retired  from  cultivation,  on  the  north  side  of  a  rocky  precipice, 
where  there  was  not  a  blade  of  grass,  and  at  some  distance  from 
grass  feed,  about  ten  loads  of  wood  in  scattering  growth,  on 
about  an  acre  of  ground,  was  cut  off.    Some  young  bushes  and 


296  WOODLAND    AND    FOREST    TREES. 

the  brush  were  left  on  the  ground  to  discourage  the  approach 
of  cattle.  To  furnish  sprouts  or  browse,  and  to  ascertain  how 
far  cattle  would  be  induced  to  crop  the  shrub  oak,  an  acre  or 
two  of  young  growth  were  cut  over.  The  latter  were  very 
sparingly  resorted  to  —  while  I  was  unable,  with  the  assistance 
of  two  persons,  to  find  one  sprout  of  the  walnut,  oak,  and  other 
trees,  untouched  by  the  cattle. 

It  is  unfortunately  too  true,  that  cattle  will  crop  all  the  shoots 
of  young  forest  trees  which  they  can  reach,  constantly  tempted 
by  their  sweet  sap ;  thus  discouraged  and  gradually  destroyed, 
they  give  place  to  bushes  and  shrubs,  which  instead  of  afford- 
ing nutriment  to  cattle,  or  being  advantageous  to  the  husband- 
man, make  the  soil  not  merely  useless,  but  an  occasion  for  heavy 
expenditure. 

Some  of  the  evils  invariably  arising  to  lots  recently  cut  over, 
by  browsing,  will  be  stated.  First,  a  tree  or  sucker  thus  de- 
prived of  its  main  shoot,  it  is  said,  never  grows  straight,  or  be- 
comes a  timber  tree,  and  its  thrift  is  injured.*  Next,  if  the 
trees  are  cut  in  the  proper  season,  when  the  sap  is  said  to  be 
down  or  the  leaf  is  off,  in  the  following  spring,  the  circulation 
of  the  new  system  then  puts  forth  its  effort,  strongly  for  the 
needed  action  of  the  atmosphere,  by  the  function  of  its  leaves, 
&;c.  If  this  is  not  afforded,  vegetative  life  is  endangered,  if  not 
lost. 

For  these  and  other  reasons  which  will  follow  in  connexion 
with  this  subject,  it  is  apparent,  that,  as  relates  to  both  of  these 
questions,  the  '  growth  of  wood  and  limber.'  —  or  the  means 
of  provision  against  future  scarcity,  the  inroad,  or  browsing  of 
cattle,  must  be  prevented. 

*  A  forcible  demonstration  of  the  power  and  the  healthy  functions  of  the 
leaf,  and  the  etfect  of  their  loss,  may  not  bo  thought  out  of  place  here,  be- 
sides being  somewhat  analogous.  Some  years  since,  a  tract  of  pasture  land, 
about  15  miles  from  this  city,  appeared  to  be  overrun  with  Suinacli,  (lihtis 
typhinum)  so  useful  as  a  dye  stuff.  A  worker  in  morocco  urged  the  occu- 
pant to  gather  the  leaves  and  dry  them  at  $20  a  ton.  As  there  was  a  large 
family  of  children,  it  was  set  about  iu  good  earnest,  and  over  live  tons  were 
gathered  and  paid  for.  It  is  not  believed  that  five  pounds  of  this  material 
have  grown  on  this  land  since  ! 


WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES.  297 

The  next  question  presented  is,  '  in'^  getting  your  wood  for 
fuel,  do  you  pick  the  oldest  trees,  or  do  you  cut  clear?' 

The  reply  from  individuals,  as  well  as  societies,  mostly  given 
is,  '  It  is  generally  practised  to  cut  the  oldest  and  most  decayed 
trees,  leaving  the  rest.' 

Our  belief  is,  diat  our  farmers  have  attained  a  better  know- 
ledge and  practice,  and  that  both  experience  and  observation  will 
well  justify  the  now  prevailing  usage  with  them,  of  '  cutting 
clear.' 

Where  old  and  decayed  trees  only  are  selected,  the  growth 
becomes  more  and  more  scattering,  and  the  young  trees  or 
suckers,  deriving  no  vigor  from  the  sun  and-  atmosphere,  fall 
into  decay.  This  remark,  with  some  others,  may  perhaps  be 
deemed  a  repetition  of  what  has  been  before  said  ',  but  it  is 
well  to  note  what  time  has  confirmed. 

The  cutting  of  two  growths  on  several  lots  since  the  period 
alluded  to,  has  passed  under  my  observation.  Some  of  these 
were  demonstrative  of  the  disadvantage  of  '  picking  out  the 
decayed  trees,'  as  well  as  the  benefit  of  cutting  clear. 

The  practice  in  one  instance  had  been,  in  times  long  gone 
by,  to  pick  out  the  trees  as  wanted,  for  timber,  or  fuel,  and  the 
growth  had  become  very  scattering,  and  of  no  sensible  increase ; 
though  most  of  them  were  of  white  oak,  and  from  ancient 
growth  and  great  size,  had  become  very  valuable ;  yet  when 
the  lot  was  again  cut  over,  there  were  more  cords  of  wood,  and 
a  greater  profit  in  the  latter,  than  in  the  former  case.  The 
first  was  a  pi-oduct  of  more  dian  a  century  —  the  latter  of  only 
thirty  years ! ! 

It  would  be  a  waste  of  time  to  multiply  remarks,  as  might  be 
done,  on  this  head. 

It  may  here  be  observed,  that  the  information  sought  for  by 
the  society,  has  relation  to  '  our  wood  lots,  and  the  best  means 
of  production  for  fuel '  —  as  to  our  timber,  there  is  no  great 
scarcity  at  present ;  there  seems  to  be  enough  to  meet  the  de- 
mand. But  the  principles  of  production,  are  widely  different, 
in  relation  thereto.  Timber,  it  is  said,  to  endure  long,  must  be 
12 


298  WOODLAND    AND    FOREST    TREES. 

matured  by  age,  of  thinner  growth,  Sic.  But  as  to  this,  our 
country  itself,  since  its  settlement,  can  hardly  be  said  to  have 
had  a  reproduction  ! ! 

The  next  question  which  has  been  proposed  is,  *  what  method 
is  best  calculated,  to  increase  the  value  of  woodlands  ? ' 

To  this  the  answers  given  are  general  and  indefinite,  alluding 
mostly  to  the  keeping  out  of  cattle.  It  is  here  intended  to 
submit  some  reasons  for  consideration,  as  well  as  the  result  of 
several  experiments  of  different  modes,  by  which  it  would  seeni 
that  the  cutting  clear  and  having  a  reproduction,  is  by  far  the 
most  promising  and  effectual  mode  to  be  pursued  with  us. 

And  first,  there  is  generally  on  all  farms  some  rough  or 
rocky  soil  in  '  wood, '  unfit  for  culture,  and  which  would  be  un- 
productive in  any  other  appropriation. 

Nextj  as  to  the  certainty  herein  —  there  is  no  known  instance 
of  a  failure  in  a  vegrowth.  This  has  been  often  predicted, 
particularly  on  some  lots  where  the  tops  of  the  trees  were 
mostly  dead  ;  this  was  a  score  of  years  ago,  and  there  is  now 
a  very  thick  growth,  almost  fit  for  the  axe  !  It  will  be  said 
that  there  must  be  a  period  of  decay  in  trees  —  that  this  is  the 
course  of  vegetation,  and  indeed  the  law  of  nature  ! 

However  true  this  may  appear,  it  may  yet  be  answered,  that 
after  cutting  off  an  old  lot  even,  there  spring  up  innumerable 
young  shoots,  which  seem  to  have  been  hidden,  or  inactive, 
beneath  the  surface,  and  then  start  into  new  life.  The  suckers, 
too,  put  forth  with  still  more  vigor,  until  the  surface  is  so  thickly 
covered  that  some  are  induced  to  thin  the  growth  by  a  selection 
of  hoop  poles  —  at  least  to  early  gain,  if  not  ultimate  advan- 
tage —  as  to  which  opinions  vary. 

As  to  the  general  principle  of  the  germination  of  suckers,  it 
appears  that  the  roots  of  old  trees  throw  up  their  shoots  at  a 
greater  distance,  converging  towards  the  stump,  and  gradually 
becoming  more  and  more  thick.  In  middle  age  they  start  nearer; 
while  in  younger  trees  they  spring  from  the  stump  itself  as  well 
as  about  it. 


WOODLAND  AND  FOREST  TREES.  299 

A  failure  in  vegetation  from  what  wouk)  seem  to  be  old  age, 
is  very  rare ;  indeed  in  many  cases  where  the  roots  of  large 
trees  have  not  put  forth,  a  sufficient  reason  has  appeared,  (as 
is  apprehended)  in  the  modes  of  cutting.  The  farmer  strikes 
inward  and  downward  to  the  heart  of  the  tree,  and  a  hollow  or 
basin  is  often  left  sufficient  to  contain  several  gallons  of  water. 
Fermentation  is  thereby  had  in  every  stage  and  process,  and 
the  apertures  of  the  sap  vessels  are  clogged,  and  as  it  were 
poisoned  thereby,*  This  appearance  has  presented  itself,  and 
been  so  often  noted  by  the  writer,  that  the  attention  of  agricul- 
turists is  solicited  hereto. 

If  such  is  the  effect  of  this  practice,  a  remedy  is  easy,  by 
cutting  a  notch  or  gap  in  the  rim  or  exterior  of  the  stump. 

In  closing,  as  to  the  inquiries  of  the  Society  which  have  pre- 
ceded, it  should  be  noted,  our  judicious  farmers,  it  is  believed, 
have  generally  of  late  been  induced  first  to  cut  clear,  as  well 
as  prevent  the  browsing  of  cattle  on  a  recendy  cut  lot,  and  next 
to  appropriate  certain  portions  of  their  farms  (especially  those 
least  calculated  for  culture),  to  a  reproduction  of  a  growth  of 
wood  -r-  and  thus  afforded  the  safest  answer,  as  to  the  best 
modes  to  be  adopted. 

The  importance  of  the  subject  in  discussion,  has  further  in- 
duced the  Society,  some  time  since,  to  offer  '  a  premium  of 
One  Hundred  Dollars,  for  the  best  plantation  of  white  oak,  and 
some  other  trees  raised  from  seed.' 

It  was  doubtless  a  principal  object  to  encourage  efforts  in 
bringing  forward  nurseries  by  planting  the  acorn,  and  a  subse- 
quent culture  of  the  soil.  This  plan  some  have  thought  might 
be  extended   tc^a  row   culture  in   lots,   coppices,  he.     To 

*  To  show  the  effect  that  may  be  produced  on  the  most  extensive  roots  and 
fibres  of  newly  cut  trees,  the  following  fact  is  stated. 

A  grove  as  well  as  several  rows  ot  that  pernicious  tree,  called  with  us 
the  Lombardy  poplar,  unfortunately  introduced  by  a  bad  taste,  was  not 
only  cut  off  but  wholly  eradicated  by  the  following  method.  On  cuUing 
down  the  trees,  a  hole  of  three  or  four  inches  was  bored  with  an  auger  to 
prevent  waste,  and  a  handfulor  two  of  salt  put  on  each  stump- — not  a  single 
sprout  ever  appeared  above  the  surface.  The  same  has  been  since  seen  in 
instances  of  other  trees. 


300  WOODLAND    AND    FOREST    TREES.         "1 


afford  one  experiment  for  inquirers,  though  on  a  somewhat 
different  principle,  I  took  about  six  acres  of  old  pasture  land, 
about  seven  years  since,  and  proceeded  gradually  to  plant 
thickly  over  the  whole  lot  several  bushels  of  acorns,  chesnuts, 
&;c,  in  the  following  manner  : 

A  tongue  of  earth  was  raised  by  the  hoe,  and  an  acorn  put 
beneath  at  a  depth  of  two  to  three  inches ;  then  the  sod  was 
pressed  down  by  the  foot  or  hoe,  to  prevent  a  loss  by  birds, 
squirrels,  he ;  all  stock  was  kept  from  the  enclosure.  Trees 
have  vegetated  to  be  sure,  but  they  seem  quite  unthrifty  in  the 
tough  grass-sward  with  which  they  feebly  contend  ;  and  there 
appears  at  present,  (as  I  had  indeed  apprehended)  little  room 
for  much  expectation  from  this  mode. 

At  the  present  price  of  land  and  condition  of  the  country, 
any  attempt  to  raise  a  wood-lot  by  appropriating  a  valuable 
soil  thereto,  with  the  expense  of  culture,  &:c,  may  be  found 
by  far  too  expensive.* 

We  are  now  brought,  in  closing  these  remarks,  to  the  utility 
of  nurseries  for  the  rearing  of  forest  trees,  which  has  been  most 
strenuously  urged  in  this  Journal. 

It  is  believed  that  the  seed  of  a  forest  tree  (particularly  an 
elm  or  an  ash,-]-)  placed  in  a  nursery  at  the  time  of  setting  out 
a  number  of  trees  of  the  usual  size,  in  such  cases  may  be  after- 
ward transplanted  and  added  thereto,  and  present  the  lai'gest 
growth.  J 

If  these  views  are  correct,  with  the  aid  to  be  expected  from 
the  ardor  and  intelligence  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  it  will 

^  I  have  had  covered  very  dfesirably  with  a  thick  growth,  several  barren 
spots  which  were  ofTensive  to  view,  by  setting  out  two  or  three  pitch-pine 
trees  {jrinus  rigida),  which  is  a  most  unwelcome  intAlder  on  a  good  soil  to 
shed  their  seeds  thereon.  Probably  to  have  gathered  the  cone  at  early  frost, 
and  to  have  scattered  them  on  the  soil  would  have  had  the  same  effect. 

t  From  the  extraordinary  size  of  the  tap  root,  or  some  other  cause,  I  have 
had  no  success  in  transplanting  the  walnut  or  shagbark. 

f  An  elm  from  the  forest,  set  out  at  usual  size,  in  20  years  gave  3  feet  4 
inches. 

An  ash  set  out  as  above,  gave  3  feet  2  inches. 

An  elm  seed,  planted  in  a  nursery,  and  transplanted  to  a  row,  gave  3 
feet  9  inches. 

An  ash  seed  planted  as  above,  gave  3  feet  10  inches. 


ASPARAGUS.  301 

no  longer  be  allowed  '  as  a  mortifying  fact,  that  the  inhabitants 
of  Massachusetts  import  most  of  their  ornamental  forest  as  well 
as  their  fruit  trees  from  abroad.' 

These  remarks  are  submitted,  '  not  so  much  for  any  know- 
ledge the  writer  may  possess,  but  that  the  attention  of  others 
may  be  turned  to  the  subject.  Thus,  every  step  in  the  pro- 
gress of  experience,  will  be  towards  the  perfection  of  know- 
ledge.' 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  John  Welles. 


ASPARAGUS. 


The  folloiving  communication,  from  the  Hon.  John  Welles,  %vas  first  pub- 
lished in  the  J^eio  England  Farmer.  It  contains  much  useful  and 
valuable  information. 

Among  the  earliest  and  most  valuable  productions  which  the 
opening  spring  presents  for  our  use,  is  that  nutritive  and  healthy 
plant.  Asparagus.  It  is  really  a  subject  of  regret,  that  this 
should  be  so  universally  acknowledged  as  a  great  luxury,  and 
on  every  account  be  so  desirable  —  and  yet,  not  be  more  inva- 
riably had,  and  conveniently  placed,  near  the  door  of  the  culti- 
vator, for  family  resort. 

There  seems  to  be  but  one  reason  that  can,  with  any  degree 
of  satisfaction,  be  assigned  for  this,  and  that  is,  the  supposed  in- 
tricacy, labor,  and  expense  of  bringing  forward  what  has  been 
termed  an  Asparagus  Bed.  The  fact  is,  that  most  works  on 
agriculture,  are  so  loaded  with  the  requisites  for  a  good  bed, 
that  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  some  repugnance  is  had, 
and  some  delay  suiFered  in  the  undertaking. 

It  is  believed,  that  in  our  climate  at  least,  most  of  the  trouble 
and  expense  is  needless  ;  and  that  a  good  and  productive  bed 
may  be  had  in  so  cheap  and  simple  a  manner,  that  many  who 
have  been  discouraged  by  the  expense  as  well  as  the  art  and 
mystery  of  the  process,  will  no  longer  be  so  influenced.  But 
your  readers  have  a  right  to  expect  some  satisfactory  reasons 
for  this  undertaking,  before  they  engage  in  it. 


302  ASPARAGUS. 

The  comparative  results  of  several  experiments  will  be  stated 
•  herein,  and  some  few  observations  submitted  to  the  good  sense 
of  your  readers,  that  they  may  draw  their  own  conclusions  and 
govern  themselves  accordingly. 

One  of  my  predecessors,  in  about  1765,  from  a  wish  for  the 
convenience  of  a  good  asparagus  bed,  as  well  as  a  strong  im- 
pression of  the  difficulties  of  having  a  good  one,  set  about  it  in 
earnest.  By  all  report,  there  was  trenching  or  deep  digging, 
paving  with  bricks  at  the  bottom,  a  layer  of  manure  low  down, 
and  much  more  dug  into  the  soil.  This,  certainly,  became  a 
good  bed,  and  it  was  always  so  considered.  In  about  25  years, 
or  1790,  its  decay  was  very  observable,  and  it  soon  dwindled 
away  to  litde  or  nothing.  For  some  years,  the  privation  was 
submitted  to.  But  in  about  1800,  a  new  bed  was  made  with 
the  same  labor  and  expense,  except  the  paving.  This  too, 
proved  a  good  bed.  It  lasted  about  the  same  time  with  the 
preceding,  and  some  two  or  three  years  since,  was  allowed  to 
go  to  grass. 

About  12  years  ago,  while  the  last  mentioned  bed  was  in 
full  bearing,  I  was  led  to  think  that  much  of  the  trouble  might 
be  avoided  in  the  process  and  preparation  for  its  culture.  A 
piece  of  ground  was  taken  on  the  same  farm,  of  a  deep  rich 
soil.  After  a  common  corn  crop  was  taken  off,  the  land  was 
ploughed  and  manured  in  the  usual  course.  Holes  were  then 
dug  12  to  14  inches  in  depth,  and  about  the  same  distance 
apart,  and  two  or  three  shovels  of  compost  manure  was  mixed 
with  a  part  of  the  earth.  The  roots  of  a  year's  growth  were 
then  inserted  at  about  six  inches  in  depth.  This  bed  has  flour- 
ished, and  been  thought  as  productive  as  any  whatever.  I,  at 
the  same  time,  with  a  view  of  a  more  full  and  fair  course  of 
experiments,  took  a  piece  of  land  in  another  place  of  opposite 
character,  being  a  thin  light  soil,  and  adopted  a  like  course,  and 
the  result  has  been  equally  favorable.  The  only  difference  to 
be  noted  was,  that  the  latter  was  more  early  in  coming  for- 
ward from  the  nature  of  the  soil. 


ON    GRASSES.  303 

However  rare  it  may  be,  that  there  is  any  over  cultivation  or 
jDreparation  of  soil  for  any  vegetable  production,  it  would  seem 
here  to  be  the  case.  The  old  forms  appear  to  have  been  kept 
up,  and  to  have  discouraged  a  more  general  diffusion  of  this 
valuable  plant.  Doctor  Dean,  in  his  husbandry,  has  somewhat 
simplified  this  matter,  but  not  sufficiently.  The  proposed  mode 
of  placing  at  6,  8  and  9  inches,  is  quite  too  near.  The  dura- 
tion of  ]  0  or  12  years,  is  a  mistaken  one ;  it  lasts  with  us  double 
that  period. 

The  management  of  the  bed  may  be  given  in  a  very  few 
words.  In  the  fall  of  the  year,  it  is  important  to  cover  it  with 
horse  manure  ;  in  the  spring  it  should  be  raked  ofF,  and  the  bed 
lightly  forked  over  so  as  not  to  touch  the  roots.  If  the  bed 
from  frequent  weeding  becomes  low,  it  may  be  raised  with 
dock-mud  to  advantage.  This  produces  no  weeds,  while  the 
saline  particles  are  favorable  to  its  growth.  Where  this  cannot 
be  had,  any  rich  loam  may  be  taken.  Three  years  is  agreed 
in  as  the  most  eligible  period  of  cutting.  No  reason  is  perceiv- 
ed for  supposing  it  a  marine  plant.  The  lightness  of  the  hull, 
containing  the  seed,  often  may  place  it  at  high  water  mark 
where  it  may  thrive  well.    .     I  am,  &;c,  J.  Welles. 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  JOHN  LOWELL, 

Boston,  Jan.  19,  1S31. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  Promotion*  of  Agri- 
culture.] 
Will  you  permit  an  associate,  who  has  for  25  years  been 
connected  with  you,  but  who  from  ill  health  has  been  compel- 
led to  withdraw  himself  from  your  society,  and  labors,  to  make 
a  few  remarks  on  a  subject  of  great  interest  to  the  cause  of 
agriculture  ?  The  topic  which  I  propose  to  discuss,  is  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  various  kinds  of  vegetable  productions  which  we 
comprise  under  the  name  of  grasses.  1  understand  hy  this 
term,  all  those  vegetables,  which  are  consumed  by  domestic 
animals,  as  food  in  pastures,  or  as  hay. 


304  ON    GRASSES. 

There  certainly  is  no  subject  more  important  to  those  parts 
of  our  country  which  depend  on  raising,  and  fatting  domestic 
animals  of  the  useful  classes,  the  ox,  the  horse,  and  the  sheep. 

I  know  very  well,  that  I  shall  be  met  at  the  outset,  by  the 
reply  of  practical  farmers,  that  we  are  not  to  be  instructed  on 
this  subject.  We  know  better  than  any  theoretical  farmer  can 
know,  what  is  best  suited  to  our  soils  —  we  have  herdsgrass, 
and  clover,  (white  and  red,)  and  red  top,  and  we  want  no 
more.  They  are  better  for  us  than  any  of  your  outlandish 
grasses.  Wait,  gentlemen,  I  reply  ;  there  is  one  Yankee  grass 
unknown  to  many  of  you,  but  well  known  to  the  owner  of  the 
extensive  meadows  on  the  Charles  River,  the  fowl  meadow 
grass.  If  this  trul}^  Yankee  grass  could  be  translated  to  all  the 
meadow  bottoms,  the  naturally  moist,  cold,  half  peaty  lands  of 
New  England,  their  produce  would  be  at  least  doubled.  It  is 
difficult  to  procure  its  seed.  It  is  not  for  sale  in  sufficient 
quantities ;  whether  from  its  ripening  with  difficulty  or  from 
whatever  causes,  it  is  not  always  a  certain  producer ;  but  still 
its  value  is  beyond  all  calculation.  Low  meadows  are  chiefly 
furnished  with  the  different  species  of  carex,  a  coarse,  sharp, 
worthless  grass,  on  which  no  animals  but  those  which  are  nearly 
famished  will  feed,  and  on  which  those  who  do  feed  constantly 
decline.  We  have  then  one  species  of  grass  not  usually  cul- 
tivated, which  is  of  inestimable  value.  It  is  no  idle  speculation, 
but  sober  fact,  and  unless  a  defender  of  ignorance  will 
maintain,  that  the  fowl  meadow  grass  can  only  flourish  in  the 
Dedham  meadows,  our  agriculture  has  much  to  gain  by  the 
active,  earnest,  assiduous  propagation  of  this  grass. 

I  have  cited  this  solitary  case,  merely  to  gain  a  patient  hear- 
ing. Of  our  three  favorite  grasses,  the  herdsgrass  or  timothy 
is  in  very  bad  repute  in  Europe.  They  consider  it  a  very 
coarse  and  not  a  very  nutritious  grass.  It  is  not  extensiv^ely 
cultivated  in  any  part  of  Europe  on  this  account. 

I  am,  however,  disposed  to  admit,  that  it  is  with  us  highly 
valuable  —  but  its  value  is  limited  by  the  following  conditions  : 
On  low  lands,  or   highly  cultivated  grounds,  it  yields  a  great 


ON    GRASSES.  305 

and  a  steady  crop.  It  is  less  liable  to  lodge  than  any  other 
grass.  It  falls  in  with  our  too  cureless  habits  of  cultivation, 
because  it  may  be  cut  in  the  month  of  June,  or  it  will 
stand  till  Auguit,  at  which  last  period  it  will  be  of  about  as 
much  value  as  straw,  though  even  then  it  will  have  a  bright, 
and  beautiful  appearance,  and  be  saleable.  It  is  admirably 
adapted  to  innholders,  and  hvery  stable  keepers,  because  it 
wears  well.  The  youngest  horses  will  find  their  powers  of 
mastication  sufficiently  taxed  in  consuming  a  rack  full  of  it  in 
a  night,  and  it  will  take  nearly  the  ivhoh  night  to  effect  this. 
In  dry  land,  it  soon  runs  out,  and  in  all  grounds  it  gives  very 
little  after  crop.  I  believe  all  these  propositions  to  be  true. 
The  red  clover  is  never  used  in  Europe,  as  we  commonly  use 
it.  It  is  almost  always  employed  as  a  green  crop  —  as  a  suc- 
cession crop  to  be  fed  down  by  various  animals,  and  then  turned 
under  as  a  preparation  for  wheat.  Indeed,  as  a  hay  crop  it 
must  be  admitted  to  be  of  very  small  value.  As  we  seldom 
use  it  in  New  England,  as  it  is  used  in  Europe  and  in  the 
Southern  States,  I  must  consider  it  as  a  very  inferior  grass,  for 
us.  Its  duration  being  so  short,  (for  it  only  lives  two  years  in 
any  case)  is  a  very  serious  objection  to  it.  We  are  often  de- 
ceived in  this  respect,  because  its  heads  ripen  in  succession,  and 
new  plants  are  always  springing  up  in  our  grounds,  and  v.'e  do 
not  perceive  what  is  certainly  true,  that  no  clover  plant  ever 
reaches  its  third  year. 

As  to  the  red  top,  by  which  I  understand,  the  poa  pratensis, 
most  common  English  grass  of  our  meadows,  our  pastures  and 
our  lawns,  it  is  unquestionably  the  best  gift  of  Providence,  to 
pasturing  or  grazing  countries.  It  is  perennial.  It  has  creep- 
ing roots.  It  will  come  in  spite  of  all  your  efforts,  and  if  it 
were  not  for  its  iiatuial  enemy,  the  couch  grass,  it  would  in  ten 
years  overcome  all  other  grasses.  It  makes  admirable  hay  — 
the  very  best  of  hay  for  all  sorts  of  cattle.  But  its  defects  are, 
that  its  crop  is  light  at  all  times,  and  as  its  creeping  roots  soon 
fill  the  ground,  the  sod  becomes  bound,  and  requires  breaking 
up  every  few  years. 
13 


306  ON    GRASSES. 

I  have  thus  given  a  true  character  of  all  our  favorite  grasses 
—  not  from  theory  but  from  25  years' close  experience  and 
observation. 

If  there  were  no  other  grasses  than  these  in  existence,  or 
none  better,  we  ought  to  be  thankful  for  what  we  have,  and 
endeavor  to  make  the  most  of  them.  But  is  this  so  ?  No, 
it  is  not  so.  And  we  are  the  only  people  who  make  any  pre- 
tensions to  knowledge,  who  confine  themselves  to  a  catalogue 
or  list  of  grasses  so  small,  and  of  so  doubtful  comparative 
value,  I 

Let  us  first  examine  the  practice  of  the  first  agricultural 
nation  of  Europe — the  nation  which  produces  the  greatest 
amount  of  food,  for  its  extent  of  soil,  in  all  Europe.  (We 
know  too  little  of  China  to  say  whether  its  productions  do  or 
do  not  exceed  those  of  Great  Britain.)  In  laying  down  a 
meadow,  as  they  term  it,  which  does  not  mean  as  with  us,  wet 
land,  but  mowing  land,  it  is  their  practice  to  sow  from  six  to 
ten  different  varieties  of  grass.  And  this  practice  is  founded 
on  sound  philosophy,  which  means  no  more  than  the  result  of 
intelligent  experience.  It  is  founded  on  this  well  known  fact, 
that  every  species  of  soil,  and  more  especially  rich  soils,  will 
give  nourishment  to  many  varieties  of  plants,  each  acquiring  a 
different  species  of  food,  the  whole  aggregate  of  whose  produc- 
tions will  be  much  greater  than  if  the  same  soil  was  sown  with 
one  species  of  plants  only.  This  will  not  appear  extraordinary 
to  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  the  extensive  cultivation 
of  exotic  plants  —  while  one  class  of  plants,  the  Cactus  tribe 
for  example,  will  flourish  best  in  sand,  and  gravel,  and  brick 
dust  —  another  in  pure  peat  —  another  in  pure  sand;  others 
require  the  richest  composts,  pure  humus,  or  the  finest  vegetable 
soil.  If  you  give  to  the  plants  which  prefer  a  poor  silicious 
soil,  or  peat,  rich  earth,  they  at  once  lose  their  health,  and  be- 
come rotten  at  the  root  and  perish.  This  is  in  exact  confor- 
mity to  that  wise,  intelligent  and  beneficent  system  by  which 
the  whole  universe  is  governed.  Without  entering  into  the 
inexplicable  laws,  which  govern  the  vegetable  kingdom,  as  well 


ON    GRASSES.  307 

•<is  the  animal,  we  may  content  ourselves  with  \hefact ;  and  the 
only  question  with  which  we  need  trouble  ourselves  is,  whether 
ihefact  he  so  or  not.  It  is  certain  that  the  experience  of  the 
English  farmer  has  been  in  favor  of  this  great  mixture  of  seeds  ; 
I  can  only  add  in  favor  of  this  theoretical,  if  .it  may  be  so 
called,  doctrine,  x\\\sfact,  that  in  a  rich  natural  meadow,  which 
has  never  been  broken  up  for  forty  five  years,  and  as  I  be- 
lieve, for  200  years,  I  have  counted  fifteen  species  of  natural 
grasses,  all  flourishing  without  apparent  interference,  and  none 
appearing  to  disturb  the  growth,  or  even  luxuriance  of  others. 

Having  made  these  preliminary  remarks,  I  shall  say  some- 
thing of  such  grasses  as  are  cultivated  in  Europe,  and  of  which 
I  have  made  a  fair  trial.  I  beg  it  to  be  fully  understood,  that 
I  speak  only  of  my  own  experiments,  though  I  shall  take 
notice  briefly  of  the  experiments  of  others,  which  have  come 
to  my  knowledge. 

The  orchard  grass,  dactylis  gJomerata  is  one  of  the  grasses 
frequently  sown  in  Great  Britain,  though  i  cannot  find  that  it 
is  used  on  the  continent  of  Europe.  It  has  been  growing  into 
favor  in  this  country,  and  gradually  taking  the  place  of 
herdsgrass,  or  timothy.  It  has  been  successfully  cultivated 
by  my  intelligent  friend  John  Prince,  Esq.  of  Roxbury.  In 
consequence  of  his  recommendation,  I  have  tried  it  for  several 
years  past,  and  am  unable  to  speak  of  it  with  such  unqualified 
praise  as  has  been  bestowed  upon  it  by  others.  Its  advantages 
are,  that  it  is  a  very  early  grass,  affording  an  early  pasturage, 
and  an  early  crop.  It  bears  repeated  cuttings,  and  affords  a 
great  quantity  of  after  feed.  Its  disadvantages  are,  that  unless 
its  seed  is  most  abundantly  sown,  it  is  too  apt  to  come  up  thin, 
and  to  remain  in  detached  bimches ;  as  grass  it  is  eaten  greed- 
ily but  when  made  into  hay,  it  is  not  a  favorite  food  for  either 
the  horse  or  cow  —  at  least  such  has  been  my  oivn  experience. 
I  account  for  this  from  this  fact,  which  I  have  never  failed  to 
remark ;  the  upper  parts  of  the  leaves  are  apt  to  turn  brown 
or  perish  before  the  flower  stalk  is  fit  to  cut.  From  this  cause 
the  flavor  of  the  hay  is  not  only  not  aromatic,  but  it  is  to  my 


308 


ON    GRASSES. 


senses  positively  disagreeable.   In  drying,  it  loses  more  in  weight 
than  any  hay  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 

The  tali  meadow  oat  grass,  [avena  elatior),  has  proved  under 
my  cultivation,  a  most  valuable  grass,  and  has  fully  supported 
the  high  character  given  of  it  by  E.  Phinney,  Esq.  of  Charles- 
town  and  Lexington.  It  is  a  very  early,  and  a  very  tall  grass, 
yielding  a  good  burden.  It  will  start  as  frequently  and  as  rap- 
idly after  cutting  as  the  orchard  grass,  and  makes  a  sweeter 
hay.  It  has  the  advantage  of  being  a  perennial  and  enduring 
grass.  On  my  first  experiment,  20  years  since,  it  lasted  seven 
years  without  the  necessity  of  renewal. 

The  sainfoin,  a  favorite  grass  of  France,  has  never  succeeded 
with  me.  I  have  made  three  trials  of  it,  but  in  every  case  it 
perished  the  first  winter,  to  such  an  extent  as  to  render  its  cul- 
ture impracticable.  I  have  not  heard  of  its  success  in  any  part 
of  the  northern  states. 

The  lucerne  grass  I  have  now  cultivated  for  eight  years  last 
past ',  having  a  full  conviction  that  it  is  superior  to  the  red 
clover,  and  that  on  soils  adapted  to  it,  it  must  and  will  super- 
sede it  almost  entirely,  except  where  the  clover  is  intended 
merely  as  a  preparation  for  wheat.  I  shall  make  some  further 
remarks  upon  it,  giving  the  results  of  my  last  years'  experience, 
which  both  for  their  extent  and  success,  far  exceeded  those  of 
any  former  year. 

My  first  piece,  (four  years  from  the  seed),  I  reserved  for 
soiling.  It  was  cut  down  four  times,  and  pastured  the  fifth. 
The  first  cutting  was  on  the  tenth  of  May. 

The  second  piece  was  sown  with  red  top,  and  was  cut  and 
made  into  hay  three  times,  and  depastured  on  the  fourth. 
There  was  good  feed  of  a  fifth  crop  on  Chirstmas  day. 

The  third  piece  was  sown  with  tall  meadow  oat  grass,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  bushel  of  oat  grass  to  six  pounds  of  lucerne. 

The  first  crop  was  very  great ;  it  was  difficult  to  decide  in 
this  first  crop  which  excelled,  the  lucerne  or  the  oat-grass.  But 
in  every  succeeding  crop,  the  lucerne  predominated  to  so  great 
a  degree,  that  it  seemed  to  be  the  only  crop.     This  was  owing 


ON    GRASSES.  309 

to  the  greater  breadth  of  its  leaves.  I  never  cut  it  till  it  flow- 
ered. I  made  4  crops  last  summer  of  excellent  hay  from  it, 
amounting  in  all  to  six  tons  and  a  half  per  acre  —  and  after 
that  it  furnished  a  rich  supply  of  after  feed.  This  crop  was 
seen  and  admired  by  a  great  number  of  intelligent  farmers. 

Having  been  convinced  that  it  was  suited  to  my  soil,  I  last 
year  laid  down  an  acre  and  a  quarter  for  a  pasture,  being  sat- 
isfied that  it  is  admirably  adapted  for  this  purpose.  I  laid  it 
down  with  barley,  but  it  grew  so  fast  that  I  was  obliged  to  cut 
the  barley  stalks  very  short,  or  else  I  should  not  have  been  able 
to  thresh  it,  so  thick  and  succulent  was  the  lucerne.  I  cut  over 
this  field  once,  and  then  depastured  it. 

I  mention  this  fact  as  a  remarkable  one,  because  the  French 
writers  speak  of  it  as  a  very  rare  occurrence,  even  in  their  cli- 
mate, that  it  will  bear  the  scythe  the  first  year. 

At  the  South  and  in  New  York,  the  lucerne  has  done  as  well 
as  with  me.  Yet  many  persons  have  not  succeeded  with  it 
here.  It  will  not  endure  wet  or  black  soils.  The  land  in 
which  I  have  raised  it,  is  a  warm  soil  —  the  surface  good,  but 
thin  on  a  gravelly  bottom.  It  has  stood  drought  better  than 
any  other  grass.  I  have  always  used  gypsum,  and  perhaps 
owe  'my  success  in  part  to  that  valuable  stimulant.  I  have  em- 
ployed two  bushels  to  the  acre.  If  my  repeated  experiments 
shall  result  in  its  successful  culture,  I  shall  be  happy  ;  and  if  not, 
I  shall  have  the  consolation  of  well  meant  endeavors  in  a  good 
cause. 

Respectfully  yours, 

J.  Lowell. 


310  BONE    MANURE    FOR    WET    MEADOWS. 

BONE  MANURE  FOR  WET  MEADOWS. 

To  the  Hon.  Thomas  L.  Winthrop,  President  of  the  Massachusetts  Society 
for  the  Promotion  of  Agriculture.] 

Sir  —  It  is  well  known  to  all  readers  of  agricultural  works 
that  a  vast  variety  of  substances  are  used  in  older  countries  than 
ours  (for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  fertility  of  lands)  which 
have  been  unknown  to  us.  It  is  no  reflection  on  our  country, 
because  we  have  not  wanted  them.  The  time  has  now  arrived 
in  Massachusetts  at  least,  in  which  these  treasures  should  not 
be  lost.  I  beg  leave  to  mention  one,  not  of  my  own  discovery, 
but  to  which  I  have  been  indebted  to  the  sagacity,  and  liberal 
intelligence  of  my  neighbor.  A  few  years  since,  the  Hon. 
William  Ellis  of  Dedham,  recommended  to  me  the  use  of  the 
head  and  feet  bones  of  oxen  as  a  highly  valuable  manure  on 
meadow  lands.  He  said  that  he  had  observed  in  passing  that 
I  had  grounds  remarkably  well  adapted  for  this  manure.  I  how- 
ever neglected  his  hint,  though  I  constantly  kept  it  in  mind, 
until  the  last  year,  when  seeing  an  immense  load  of  the  heads 
of  oxen  passing  by,  I  inquired  of  the  owner,  for  what  purpose 
he  was  carting  those  materials,  and  his  answer  led  me  to  the 
following  facts,  viz.  That  he  came  down  a  distance  of  eight 
miles  with  an  empty  team,  and  was  carrying  back  a  load,  which 
cost  him  2  dollars,  to  put  on  his  meadow  land.  I  found  that  it 
was  no  new  experiment  with  him,  and  that  he  came  often  Ibr 
this  purpose. 

Here  then  I  had  facts.  I  knew  the  habitual  economy  of  our 
citizens,  that  they  were  not  remarkably  prone  to  idle  experi- 
ments, or  to  wanton  expenditure. 

I  entered  with  my  very  intelligent  informer  into  many  par- 
ticulars as  to  the  process  and  effects,  but  I  own  that  I  was 
more  impressed  with  the  simple  fact,  that  he  would  devote  his 
team  and  labor  for  a  day  and  pay  two  dollars  for  his  materials 
besides,  than  with  all  his  other  assertions. 

If  this  man  can  afford  to  come  16  miles,  and  carryback  a 
manure  which  costs  him  as  much  as  a  load  of  dung,  surely  it 


GRAFTING    THE    GRAPE.  311 

must  be  more  valuable  to  me,  who  can  cart  eight  loads  at  the 
expense  of  his  one. 

I  made  the  experiment.  Its  success  surpassed  all  his  descrip- 
tions. The  manure  brought  in  new  grasses.  It  encouraged 
and  invigorated  the  old. 

I  am  aware  that  it  is  only  of  limited  application,  but  it  is  no 
trifling  thing  to  render  useful  an  article  formerly  thrown  away. 
We  know  so  little  of  the  philosophy  of  manures  that  I  shall  not 
speak  on  that  subject.  All  I  shall  say  is,  that  there  is  much 
animal  matter  still  adhering  to  the  bones,  and  animal  matter  has 
been  found  by  experience  to  promote  the  growth  of  vegetables. 

The  mode  of  application  is  to  break  them  up  with  a  sledge, 
or  with  the  back  of  an  axe,  and  then  to  press  them  below  the 
surface  by  a  rammer  or  beetle.  The  only  point  to  which  1 
offer  my  testimony  is,  that  the  effects  are  much  greats?-  than  an 
equal  quantity  of  horse  and  cow-dung.  This  may  be  rehed 
upon. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

J.  Lowell. 


GRAFTING  THE  GRAPE. 

Much  has  been  said  in  the  Southern  Journals  about  a  recent 
discovery  as  to  grafting  the  vine.  It  has  been  announced  in 
such  terms,  as  would  lead  ignorant  persons  to  suppose,  that 
to  that  person  alone  was  the  merit  due. 

I  am  induced  to  make  great  allowance  for  the  habitual 
grandiloquence  of  our  southern  friends.  The}^  are  very  prone 
to  use  high  sounding  words.  But  in  fact,  horticulture  was  an 
advanced  art  in  the  North  when  it  was  unknown  in  the  South, 
and  but  imperfectly  so  in  the  JMiddle  States.  It  is  equally  true 
now.  Massachusetts  is  far  before  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
in  Horticulture,  if  you  take  into  view  the  improved  state  of  pri- 
vate gardens,  the  number  of  its  green  and  grape  liouses,  and 
the  beauty  of  its  country  seats.  There  do  not  exist  in  the 
whole  range  of  the  United  States  more  finely  cultivated  or  highly 


312 


MILCH    COWS. 


ornamented  country   residences  than   this   ancient  state   can 
show. 

But  to  the  point  of  the  grafting  the  grape.  My  excellent 
friend,  the  late  Ehenezer  Preble  20  years  since  grafted  the 
vine  with  as  much  care  as  he  grafted  other  plants,  without  graft- 
ing into  the  root.  I  have  done  it  often,  but  with  not  so  entire 
success.  No  doubt  the  grafting  the  root  is  m.ore  sure,  but  it 
does  not  apply  to  the  grafting  in  vineries.  There  you  need 
the  skill  which  Mr  Preble  and  the  French  gardeners  possessed 
of  grafting  in  the  limbs.  A  Cultivator. 

ROXBURY. 


MILCH  COWS. 

The  attention  of  farmers  is  invited  to  the  consideration  of 
the  character  and  condhion  of  our  milch  cows. 

How  much  milk  ought  a  cow  to  yield  to  be  worth  her  keeping  .? 
What  is  the  average  time  that  our  cows  are  in  milk  ?  Is  there 
much,  if  any,  waste  of  fodder  among  us  by  keeping  animals 
that  yield  little  or  no  return  of  profit  ?  Questions  like  these,  and 
there  are  many  such,  ought  to  be  put  and  answered  in  the  New 
England  Farmer.  It  may  turn  out  that  our  dairy  stock  is  ex- 
tremely low  in  character  and  its  management  wasteful. 

If  something  like  an  average  quality  of  milch  cows  could  be 
settled  —  to  afford  a  standard  —  and  it  should  be  understood 
that  no  good  farmer  would  keep  an  animal  for  milk  that  fell 
below  it ;  all  the  cows  in  the  country  would  soon  come  up. to 
that  standard  and  go  beyond  it. 

A  milch  cow,  oi  medium  quality,  in  this  State,  will  give,  it  is 
supposed,  12  quarts  of  milk  per  day  for  2  months  after  calving, 
and  about  7  quarts  per  day  on  grass  feed  for  the  next  four 
months,  and  4  quarts  per  day  for  the  next  following  2  months, 
and  perhaps  2  quarts  one  month  longer.  Altogether  1500 
quarts  in  a  year. 

■  It  takes  9  quarts  of  milk  to  give  a  p  und  of  butter,  and  4 
quarts  to  yield  a  pound  of  cheese.  The  skim  milk  and  dairy 
whey  may  be  valued  at  $-3  a  cow  per  annum. 


MILCH  COWS.  313 

Now,  a  cow  that  gives  1500  quarts  of  milk  in  a  year  will  pro- 
duce 166  lbs.  of  butter,  worth  at  16  cents  per  lb.  |26  56 
Skim  milk,  say  .....  3  44 


30  00 

Or  1500  quarts  of  milk  will  give,  at  4  quarts  to  the  pound 

of  cheese,  375  lbs.  which  at  8  cents  per  lb.  will  be       ^30  00 

Whey,  say 3  00 


33  00 

Nothing  is  said  of  the  worth  of  the  calf,  as  all  the  milk  the 
cow  gives  is  credited.  A  milch  cow's  keeping  one  year  cannot 
be  short  of  25  dollars  in  the  interior. 

Suppose  a  farmer  to  resolve  that  he  would  keep  no  cow  that 
did  not  hold  out  as  a  good  milker  9  months  in  the  year — and 
that  did  not  give  sixteen  quarts  of  milk  per  day  for  2  months 

after  calving,  and  12  quarts  per  day  the  next  four  months 

and  six  quarts  per  day  the  next  3  months,  and  2  quarts  per  da^' 
the  month  following.  —  Such  a  cow  would  yield  per  annum 
3000  quarts  of  milk. 

Here  it  may  be  remarked,  that  with  the  addition  of  5  dollars 
per  annum  to  the  cost  of  food  as  estimated  for  a  common  cow, 
the  neat  profit  would  probably  be  four  fold. 

Is^it  not  practicable  to  have  throughout  the  country,  as  com- 
mon dairy  stock  animals  as  good  as  the  last  described  ? 

This  question  is  submitted  to  farmers  for  consideration.  The 
probability  is,  that  in  taking  some  pains  to  get  stock  as  good, 
they  would  get  even  better. 

If  the  various  modes  of  obtaining  this  object  were  resorted  to 
at  once  and  with  zeal  throughout  the  country,  there  would  be  a 
prodigious  improvement,  in  a  very  short  time.  —  No  young  ani- 
mal of  promising  appearance  for  milk  would  go  to  the  butcher. 
—  More  care  would  be  taken  of  young  stock.  —  More  young 
stock  would  be  retained  to  insure  a  better  selection  for  milch 
cows.  —  Farmers  would  think  more  of  the  advantages  of  eni- 
14 


314  PREMIUM    LIST. 

ploying  bulls  of  the  improved  breeds.  —  Heifers  would  be  milk- 
ed with  great  care  and  very  thoroughly  to  get  them  into  the 
habit  of  holding  out  long  as  milkers.  If  they  once  dry  early, 
no  care  and  keeping  afterwards  will  correct  this  fault.  —  Heifers 
with  the  first  calf  will  be  fed  well  and  with  some  additional 
care  the  last  3  months  they  are  in  milk,  to  make  them  hold 
out. 

The  profit  of  a  milch  cow  is  not  generally  understood.  Milk 
is  not  only  the  most  nutritious  but  the  cheapest  article  of  food. 
The  food  necessary  for  a  cow  in  full  milk,  does  not  exceed  in 
price,  one  third  of  what  is  necessary  in  feeding  for  the  butcher. 

These  k\v  remarks  are  hastily  made  to  draw  out  our  farm- 
ers, and  particularly  scientific  farmers,  on  this  subject.  There 
is  a  great  deal  to  be  said  upon  it,  and  a  great  many  facts 
to  the  purpose,  which  should  come  to  light. 


PREMIUM  LIST  OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS  SOCIETY  FOR 
PROMOTING  AGRICULTURE,  FOR  1831. 

In  the  period  of  14  years,  since  the  first  Cattle  Show  at 
Brighton,  several  thousand  dollars  have  been  distributed  in 
premiums  to  encourage  improvement  in  the  farming  stock,  — 
not  without  some  success.  It  is  beheved  that  farmers  gene- 
rally, are  convinced  of  the  benefit  of  attention  to  the  rules  re- 
commended by  scientific  men,  in  the  selection  of  their  stocks. 
The  Shows  of  the  county  societies  have  already  contributed 
greatly,  and  will  continue  to  do  much,  to  awaken  attention  to 
the  advantage  of  raising  prime  cattle  for  labor,  and  for  the 
dairy,  and  to  secure  a  preference  of  the  improved  breeds  of 
sheep  and  swine.  And  if  there  be  any  who  still  permit  ordi- 
nary animals  to  consume  the  produce  of  their  farms,  there  may 
be  found  examples  enough  in  their  neighborhood,  of  such  as 
profit  by  a  better  husbandry,  to  convince  them,  ere  long,  of 
their  error. 


PREMIUM    LIST.  315 

A  state  of  things  so  favorable  will  justify  the  Trustees  of  the 
Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  in  appropriating  the  money 
at  their  disposal,  for  premiums,  the  coming  season,  to  some 
other  objects.  They  will  therefore  intermit  the  Brighton  Cat- 
tle Show  for  one  year. 

The  general  management  of  farms  —  the  operations  of 
the  dairy  —  and  a  thorough  field  culture  for  vegetables  and 
grain  crops,  will  engage  their  attention,  as  leading  objects  ;  and 
their  largest  premiums  will  be  appropriated  the  ensuing  season 
to  encourage  and  reward  distinguished  merit  in  these  par- 
ticulars. 

Butter  and  cheese  are  among  the  staples  of  New  England, 
and  it  is  obvious,  that  a  small  improvement  in  their  quality  will 
add  a  large  sum  of  money  to  the  income  of  this  district  of 
country.  And  there  is  every  reason  to  hope,  that  a  judicious 
encouragement  by  premiums,  will,  in  a  few  years,  give  a  cha- 
racter to  our  dairies,  not  surpassed  by  any  part  of  the  world. 
To  accomphsh  this  more  surely,  it  may  be  of  use  to  admit,  for 
a  time,  a  competition  for  our  premiums,  for  butter  and  cheese, 
from  beyond  the  Hmits  of  the  state,  and  without  any  restriction 
as  to  their  origin  ;  that,  if  practicable,  we  may  have  speci- 
mens to  compare  with  our  own,  even  from  other  countries. 
We  may  thus  have  an  opportunity  of  attaining  to  a  greater 
certainty  the  degree  of  excellence  of  which  these  important 
articles  of  food  are  susceptible,  and,  by  the  comparison,  learn 
the  imperfection  of  our  own  processes  of  manufacture  —  and 
perhaps  we  may  have  the  satisfaction  to  find  that,  to  some  ex- 
tent at  least,  both  butter  and  cheese,  are  now  made  in  Massa- 
chusetts, not  inferior  to  the  best  in  other  countries. 

Some  premiums  offered  in  past  years  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  plantations  of  forest  trees,  live  hedges,  and  apple  or- 
chards, and  for  useful  experiments,  and  valuable  inventions, 
will  be  contiiiued. 

In  conformity  with  the  views  above  expressed,  the  Trustees  of 
the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture,  propose 


316  PREMIUM    LIST. 

to  have  an  Exhibition  of  Butter  and  Cheese,  in  Quincy  Hall, 
in  the  new  Market  House,  Boston,  on  Wednesday,  the  <Big<^lT  7 
day  of  December,  1831. 

And  they  offer  the  following  premiums,  to  be  awarded  by  a 
committee  of  competent  judges,  selected  by  the  Board,  to  the 
proprietors  of  the  best  lots  of  Butter  and  Cheese  exhibited, 
without  regard  to  the  place  of  manufacture. 

For  the  best  lot,  in  tubs,  pots,  or  firkins,  not  less 
than  300  lbs ^100  00 

For  the  next  best,  not  less  than  300  lbs.  50  00 

For  the  best,  less  than  300  lbs.  and  not  less  than 
100  lbs 30  00 

For  the  next  best,  less  than  300  lbs.  and  not  less 
than  50  lbs 20  00 

For  the  best,  less  than   100  lbs.  and  not  less  than 
50  lbs. 15  00 

For  the  next  best  less    than  100  lbs.  and  not  less 
than  50  lbs 10  00 

For  the  best  lot  of  Cheese,  not  less  than  one  year 
old,  and  not  less  in  quantity  than  300  lbs.         .  100  00  * 

For  the  next  best,  not  less  than  one  year  old,  and 
not  less  in  quantity  than  300  lbs.  .         .         .  50  00 

For  the  best  Cheese,  less  than  one  year  old,  and 
not  less  in  quantity  than  300  lbs.          .  .  .  50  00 

For  the  next  best,  of  not  less  quantity  .  30  00 

VEGETABLE  AND  GRAIN  CROPS. 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Carrots  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  600  bushels         ....  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels  .  .         .         .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Potatoes  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  500  bushels  ....  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  250  bushels  .         .         .  10  GO 


PREMIUM    LIST.  317 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  common  Beets  on  an 
acre,  not  less  than  600  bushels  .         .         .  $20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels          .          .         .         .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Mangel  Wurtzel,  or 
Scarcity  Root,  on  an  acre,  not  less  than  600  bushels        20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels  .         .         .         .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Sugar  Beets  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  600  bushels  .         .         .         .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels         .  .         .         .  10  00 

For   the  greatest  quantity  of  Parsnips  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  400  bushels  .  .  .         .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  200  bushels          .          •         .          .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Ruta  Baga  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  600  bushels.  .         .         .          .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels 10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  common  Turnips  on 
an  acre,  not  less  than  600  bushels         .          .         .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels 10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Onions  on  an  acre,  not 
less  than  600  bushels  .  .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  300  bushels  .  .  .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Cabbages  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  25  tons  weight,  free  from  earth  when 
weighed         .         .  .  . .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  ditto  on  half  an  acre, 
not  less  than  13  tons  .  .  .  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Vegetables  (Grain,  Peas, 
Beans,  excepted)  for  home  consumption  and  not  for 
sale  —  raised  for  the  keeping  of  stock,  regard  being 


318  PREMIUM   LIST. 

had  to  the  size  of  the  farm  in  proportion  to  the  crop, 
and  to  the  number  of  the  stock  kept,  —  and  also  to  the 
respective  value  of  the  vegetables  as  food,  and  the 
expense  of  raising  the  same  .  .  ^^30  00 

For  the  greatestquanlity  of  Indian  Corn  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  100  bushel  .  .  .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Winter  Wheat  on  an 
acre,  not  less  than  30  bushels  .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Barley  on  an  acre,  not 
less  than  45  bushels  .  .  .  .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Rye  on  an  acre,  not 
less  than  30  bushels  .  .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Millet  on  an  acre,  cut 
and  cured  for  hay,  not  less  than  3  tons ;  the  claimant 
giving  evidence  of  the  time  of  sov^^ing,  the  quantity  of 
seed  sown,  and  the  quantity  of  hay  produced  .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  dry  Peas  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  30  bushels  .  .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  dry  Beans  on  an  acre, 
not  less  than  30  bushels         .         .  .  .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Mustard  Seed,  not  less 
than  20  bushels  .  .  .  .  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  dressed  Flax,  not  less 
than  500  lbs.  from  an  acre  .  .  .         20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  and  best  quality  of  Hemp, 
on  an  acre         .  .  .  .  .  40  00 

It  is  to  be  understood  that  the  quantity  of  land  specified 
above  is,  in  each  case,  to  be  in  one  piece.  And  the  claimant 
of  any  of  the  above  premiums  shall,  with  one  other  person, 
make  oath  to  the  following  particulars  before  some  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  with  a  certificate  of  the  same,  shall  obtain  a 
certificate  of  the  measurement  of  the  land  by  some  sworn 
surveyor. 

The  particulars  are  — 

1.  The  condition  of  the  land  in  the  spring  of  1831. 


PREMIUM    LIS 


319 


2.  The  product,  and  general  state  of  cultivation  and  quality 
of  manure  used  upon  it  the  preceding  year. 

3.  The  quantity  of  manure  the  present  season. 

4.  The  quantity  of  seed  used,  and  if  potatoes,  the  sort. 

5.  The  time  and  manner  of  sowing,  weeding,  and  harvesting 
the  crop,  and  the  amount  of  the  product  ascertained  by  actual 
measurement,  after  the  whole  produce  for  which  a  premium  is 
claimed,  is  harvested,  and  the  entire  expense  of  cultivation. 

6.  Of  Indian  corn  —  the  entire  crop  of  the  acre  offered  for 
premium,  if  shelled,  to  be  measured  between  the  1 5th  of  No- 
vember, and  the  1st  of  December.  If  not  shelled,  the  whole 
to  be  weighed  within  the  same  dates,  and  75  pounds  of  corn 
and  cob,  is  to  be  considered  as  equivalent  to  one  bushel  of 
shelled  corn. 

7.  At  least  40  bushels  of  the  vegetables,  for  which  a  premium 
is  claimed  (except  potatoes,  onions,  and  common  turnips,)  are 
to  be  weighed,  and  56  pounds,  from  the  dirt,  will  be  consider- 
ed as  a  bushel. 

THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

For  the  best  cultivated  Farm        .         .         .         ,$100  00 
For  the  next  best  cultivated  Farm  .         .         75  00 

The  farm  to  consist  of  not  less  than  70  acres,  exclusive  of 
woodland.  The  owner  or  tenant,  to  entitle  himself  to  either  of 
the  premiums,  must  state  in  writing  the  nature  and  quality 
of  the  soil ;  the  proportions  suitable  for  tillage,  mowing,  and 
pasturing,  respectively,  and  especially  the  quantity  of  irrigated 
meadow  or  low  land  which  is  never  tilled  or  ploughed. 

The  number  of  acres  planted  the  present  year  with  corn, 
potatoes,  and  other  vegetables. 

The  number  sowed  with  winter  and  spring  grains,  and  other 
vegetables,  specifying  the  several  kinds,  and  the  number  of 
acres  planted  or  sown  with  each. 

The  quantity  and  kind  of  manure  used  for  each  crop,  and 
the  times  and  manner  of  applying  it. 


320 


PKEMIUM    LIST. 


The  quantity  and  quality  of  each  crop. 
The  number  of  acres  mowed  the  present  year,  specifying 
the  proportion  of  irrigated  meadow,  or  low  land,  and  the  pro- 
portion which  had  been  ploughed  or  tilled,  and  the  kind  of 
grass  and  quantity  of  hay  on  each. 

Manner  of  irrigating  the  lands,  and  dressing  and  manuring 
meadow  or  low  land,  and  irrigated  upland,  if  any,  and  laying 
down  tilled  land  to  grass. 

The  kinds  of  grass  seed  sown,  the  quantity  of  each,  the  time  of 
year,  and  whether  sown  with  oats,  barley,  or  other  grain,  or  alone. 

The  number  of  acres  of  pasture ;  the  part,  if  any,  that  had 
previously  been  ploughed ;  vvhen  this  part  was  laid  down,  and 
the  kinds  and  quantities  of  grass  seed  sown  per  acre. 

The  number  of  apple  trees  on  the  farm ;  the  proportion 
grafted  ;  whether  planted  in  orchards  or  partly  by  the  fences 
against  the  road ;  the  quantity  of  winter  apples  gathered  and 
cider  made  ;  treatment  of  trees,  and  manner  of  making  cider. 

The  form  and  dimensions  of  barns,  sheds,  and  barnyard,  and 
manner  of  collecting  and  making  manure. 

The  number  of  oxen,  cows,  and  young  stock,  horses,  and 
sheep,  kept  on  the  farm  through  the  year,  and  the  quantity  of 
butter  and  cheese  made,  distinguishing  the  new  milk  from  the 
other  cheese,  and  the  breed  of  cows,  whether  foreign,  mixed, 
or  native. 

The  number  of  swine  and  quantity  of  pork  made. 

The  labor  employed  in  carrying  on  the  farm,  and  quantity 
of  ardent  spirits  consumed. 

As  it  is  deemed  important  to  ascertain  the  best  rotation  of 
crops,  it  is  expected  that  the  applicants  for  these  premiums  will 
state  the  kind  of  crop,  if  not  able  to  state  the  quantity,  raised  on 
the  several  and  respective  pieces  of  tillage,  mowing,  and  pas- 
ture land  described  in  their  statements,  for  two  years  next  pre- 
ceding the  present  one. 

The  manner  of  feeding  his  stock  in  the  winter  season ; 
whether  he  gives  his  milch  cows  or  oxen  grain  or  roots  of  any 
kind,  and  the  kind  and  quantity. 


PREMIUM    LIST.  321 

His  treatment  of  calves  he  intends  to  raise  ;  whether  he  lets 
them  continue  to  suck,  or  weans  them  soon  after  born  —  how 
soon  —  what  food  he  gives  them,  and  how  long  he  continues  to 
feed  them. 

His  manner  of  making  cider  and  cleansing  his  old  barrels, 
and  the  time  he  draws  it  off,  if  at  all. 

The  kind  of  food  given  to  his  swine  and  the  manner  in  which 
it  is  prepared. 

The  age  at  which  he  finds  it  most  profitable  to  make  beef  of 
his  working  oxen  and  good  milch  cows. 

If  it  be  a  sheep  farm,  the  manner  he  treats  his  sheep  in  the 
winter  ;  whether  they  are  housed  or  left  out  in  the  yard,  the 
food  given  them,  and  the  time  they  generally  lamb. 

The  whole  statement  to  be  sworn  to  by  the  applicant.  The 
Trustees  to  be  at  liberty,  in  all  cases,  before  they  award  the 
premium,  to  visit  by  a  committee,  or  such  other  persons  as 
they  shall  appoint,  the  farms  of  the  applicants,  if  they  deem  it 
expedient. 

JV.  B.  Claims  to  he  addressed  to  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.  in 
Boston,  (post  paid)  bejore  the  first  day  of  October  next. 

EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    AND    INVENTIONS. 

For  the  experiment  of  turning  in  Green  Crops  as  a 
manure,  on  a  tract,  not  less  than  one  acre,  and  proving 
its  utility,  giving  a  particular  account  in  writing  under 
oath  of  the  process  and  the  result      .         .         .         $20  00 

For  the  most  successful  use  of  the  Drill  Plough,  in 
the  cultivation  of  any  small  grains  or  seeds,  on  a  scale 
of  not  less  than  one  acre         ....  20  00 

For  an  effectual  and  satisfactory  mode  of  destroying 
the  Bee-moth  or  of  preventing  its  ravages       .         .  20  00 

For  an  effectual  and  satisfactory  mode  of  extirpa- 
ting the  Worm  that  attacks  the  Locust  tree       .  100  00 

For  a  new,  effectual,  and  satisfactory  mode  of  ex- 
tirpating the  Borer  which  attacks  the  apple  tree       .         50  00 
15 


322  PREMIUM    LIST. 

For  any  newly  invented  Agricultural  Implement,  or 
Machine,  superior  to  any  designed  for  the  same  use, 
that  shall  have  heretofore  gained  a  premium,  a  reward 
not  exceeding  twenty  dollars,  according  to  the  impor- 
tance of  the  invention         .         .         ,         .         .         ^'20  00 

TREES    AND    LIVE    HEDGES. 

For  the  largest  plantation  of  the  White  Mulberry 
tree,  not  less  than  two  thousand  plants,  nor  less  than 
three  years  old,  to  be  claimed  on  or  before  the  1st  of 
December,  1832 50  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  raw  or  unmanufactured 
Silk,  not  less  than  ten  pounds,  raised  by  the  claimant, 
and  presented  before  the  1st  December,  1832  20  00 

For  the  best  plantation  of  White  Oak  trees,  not  less 
than  one  acre,  nor  fewer  than  1000  trees  per  acre  — 
raised  from  the  acorn  —  not  less  than  three  years  old, 
and  which  shall  be  in  the  most  thriving  state  on  the 
1st  September,  1832  ....  100  00 

For  the  best  plantation  of  White  Ash,  Larch,  or 
Yellow  Locust  trees,  each  of  not  less  than  one  acre, 
nor  fewer  than  1000  trees  per  acre,  to  be  raised  from 
the  seeds,  and  which  trees  not  less  than  three  years 
old,  shall  be  in  the  most  flourishing  state  on  the  1st 
September,  1832 50  00 

For  the  best  Live  Hedge,  made  either  of  white  or 
Cockspur  Thorn,  planted  after  1820,  not  less  than  one 
hundred  rods,  and  which  shall  be  in  the  most  thriving 
state  in  1831  50  00 

For  the  best  Buckthorn  Hedge,  not  less  than  100 
rods,  and  which  shall  be  in  the  most  thriving  state  in 
1831 50  00 

For  the  best  Apple  Orchard  planted  since  1 822,  not 
less  than  100  trees,  and  which  has  been  managed,  in 
all  respects,  with  care  and  skill,  and  shall  be  in  the 
most  thriving  condition  in  the  season  of  1831  50  00 


PREMIUM    LIST.  323 

Claims  for  the  premiums  on  vegetable  and  grain  crops,  and 
experiments  and  inventions,  together  with  the  evidences  re- 
quired, are  to  be  in  writing,  and  sent  free  of  expense,  to  Ben- 
jamin Guild,  Esq.,  in  Boston,  Assistant  Recording  Secretary, 
on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  December  next,  and  they  will  be 
examined  by  the  committee,  previous  to  the^h  day  of  Decem- 
ber, on  which  day  the  premiums  will  be  announced  at  Quincy 
Hall. 

Competitors  for  the  Butter  and  Cheese  premiums  will  please 
to  take  notice,  that  there  will  be  a  public  auction  after  the  ex- 
amination by  the  committee.  There  will  be  no  charge  for 
auctioneer's  fees,  but  the  government  duty  must  be  paid  by  the 
owners  of  the  butter  and  cheese.  The  committee  will  be  at 
liberty  to  withhold  from  the  auction  sale,  any  parcels,  either  of 
butter  or  cheese,  which  they  may  have  reason  to  suppose,  from 
the  ordinary  quality  of  the  same,  or  other  circumstances,  may 
have  been  sent  to  the  hall,  merely  for  sale. 

Claims  for  the  premiums  on  Butter  and  Cheese  must  be 
made  in  writing,  addressed  to  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.,  Boston, 
post  paid,  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  Decem.ber,  1831.  And 
the  parcels  deposited  before  Tuesday  the  6th,  at  Quincy  Hall, 
on  which  day,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  committee  will  examine 
the  lots  offered  for  premium,  and  none  will  be  admitted  after 
that  hour. 

Each  lot  must  be  marked  with  the  initials  of  the  owner's 
name,  and  the  place  of  manufacture. 

It  is  particularly  recommended  to  the  competitors,  that  the 
butter  be  put  up  in  the  nicest  manner. 

Agricultural  Implements  of  new  invention,  intended  for  exhi- 
bition, must  be  sent  to  the  Hall  on  or  before  Tuesday  the  Gth 
December. 

R.  Sullivan,  ^ 

E.  H.  Derby,  •  ^        . 

John  Heard,  ./,-.       >  Committee . 
GoRHAM  Parsons,  J 
Boston,  Jan.  1831. 


i 


MASSACHUSETTS 


AGRICULTURAL    JOURNAL. 


VOL.  X.  APRIL,  1832.  NO.  IV. 

INTRODUCTOBY    REMARKS. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting 
Agriculture  owe,  perhaps,  some  explanation  to  the  public  for  the 
suspension  of  the  publication,  which  they  have,  for  more  than 
thirty  years  past  been  in  the  practice  of  publishing,  as  well  as 
for  their  resuming  it  upon  this  occasion.  When  they  com- 
menced their  publications  in  1792,  there  had  been  no  at- 
tempt, in  this  country,  or  in  Europe,  with  the  exception 
of  the  Bath  and  West  of  England  Journal,  and  one  or  two 
others,  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  agricultural  information 
through  the  press.  If  improvements,  or  discoveries  were  made, 
either  in  the  tools  or  implements  of  agriculture,  in  the  mode  of 
tillage,  in  the  rotation  of  crops,  in  the  introduction  of  new 
plants,  or  in  the  economy  of  manures,  they  were  left  to  make 
their  way  into  the  world,  as  all  improvements  had  done  before 
the  discovery  of  the  art  of  printing,  from  neighbour  to  neigh- 
bour, A  county  of  Great  Britain  might  be,  and  often  was  in 
possession  of  an  improved  mode  of  tillage,  or  of  dairy  manage- 
ment, half  a  century  before  it  was  known  or  adopted  In  any 
other  coimty,  at  not  one  hundred  miles  distance.  This  truth 
is  fully  established  by  the  surveys  of  Marshall,  and  Young. 
Thus  particular  spots  were  famous  for  their  butter  or  their 
cheese  ;  others  for  their  fine  breed  of  cattle  for  the  butcher ; 
others  for  their  wise  rotation  of  crops;  others  for  their  ex- 
tensive use  of  lime  and  marl ;  while,  in  other  portions  of  the 
1 


326  INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 

country,  these  improvements  were  absolutely  unknown.  The 
same  remark  was  applicable  to  this  country  ;  and  when  the  first 
attempts  were  made  to  treat  the  subject  of  agriculture  as  one  to 
be  taught  by  means  of  the  press,  they  were  received  with 
great  coldness ;  the  publications  were  seldom  purchased,  nor 
could  they  have  obtained  a  circulation,  but  for  the  aid  of  the 
legislature,  who,  paying  for  the  expense  of  printing,  received 
in  return  a  distribution  of  the  numbers  as  they  appeared. 
There  seemed  to  have  been  a  general  opinion  that  agriculture 
could  not  be  improved,  though  it  might  be  injured,  by  books ; 
that  there  was  something  peculiar  in  its  processes,  which  could 
only  be  communicable  by  tradhion  ;  that  every  farmer  was 
born  to  be  an  adept  in  his  an,  though  that  art  involves,  in  its 
operations,  principles  as  extensive  and  as  difficult  to  compre- 
hend as  any  human  employment  whatever.  This  feeling  or 
prejudice  is  not  yet  eradicated, — it  is  only  shaken  ;  and  many  a 
self-taught  farmer  sneers,  with  contempt,  at  any  attempt  to 
show  that  he  does  not  manage  his  land,  or  his  cattle,  in  the 
best  possible  way. 

The  Trustees  of  this  society  persevered,  however,  in  collect- 
ing such  facts,  and  elucidating  such  principles  in  relation  to 
every  branch  of  agriculture  and  of  horticulture,  as  they  thought 
might  serve  to  promote  its  improvement,  in  spite  of  all  these 
discouragements.  They  did  not  admit  the  anomalous  and 
absurd  opinion,  that  agriculture  had  arrived  at  its  highest  state 
of  improvement.  They  could  not  believe,  that  while  the  arts 
of  navigation  and  of  manufactures  were  making  a  progress  in 
half  a  century  greater  than  they  had  made  in  ten  preceding  cen- 
turies, the  agricultural  art  alone  had  arrived  at  its  maximum — 
its  highest  degree  of  merit.  They  looked  to  the  state  of  Eu- 
ropean culture,  and  they  found  it  very  far  advanced  above  our 
own.  They  found,  that  the  rent  of  cultivated  lands  was  often 
far  great  r  than  the  price  of  the  soil  itself  in  this  country. 
Although  much  of  this  difference  might  be  attributed  to  the 
dense  population  of  those  countries,  and  the  greater  demand  for 
the  products  of  agricultural  industry,  still  there  remained  much 


JNTROUUCTORT    REMARKS.  327 

unexplained  in  the  superior  produce  of  European  farms,  when 
compared  with  our  own.  It  was  well  known,  that  farmers  in 
England  could  take  a  farm  of  500  acres  at  2500  dollars  rent, 
and  pay  taxes  and  tithes  to  an  amount  equal  to  that  rent,  and 
yet  grow  rich. 

To  be  sure,  capital  was  more  abundant  and  obtained  at  a 
low  rate  of  interest,  and  labour  was  50  per  cent,  cheaper ;  but 
still  these  causes  would  not  sufficiently  account  for  the  fact,  that 
new  and  fertile  lands  in  this  country,  whose  first  cost  did  not 
exceed  the  rent  and  taxes  paid  annually  by  the  British  farmer, 
should  not  yield  any  profit  over  and  above  the  labour  bestowed 
upon  them.  In  the  inquiry  as  to  these  singular  results,  it  was 
at  once  perceived,  that  the  extraordinary  products  of  British 
farming  industry  could  be  traced  distinctly  to  improved  im- 
plements of  husbandry — to  improved  modes  of  tillage — to  the 
adoption  of  regular  and  systematic  rotation  of  crops— to  in- 
creased attention  and  care  in  the  'ixprovement  of  every  variety 
of  the  breeds  of  domestic  animals — to  the  introduction  of  new 
plants  for  the  support  of  these  animals — to  the  improvement  of 
the  qualities  and  kinds  of  their  fruit  trees.  Impressed  with  the 
opinion,  that  the  introduction  of  these  improvements  into  our 
country  would  be  of  inestimable  value,  the  Trustees  of  this 
Society  persevered  for  20  years  in  stating,  in  their  publications, 
such  improvements  as  the  British  journals  of  agriculture  afforded 
them  the  means  of  furnishing  to  the  public.  They  are  not  dis- 
posed to  magnify  the  effect  of  their  efforts.  If  they  were  not 
as  great  as  their  wishes  anticipated,  and  as  their  laborious  ex- 
ertions authorized  them  to  expect,  may  we  not  be  permitted  to 
say,  that  one  cause  of  their  limited  success  was,  that  they  sowed 
their  seed  on  stony  and  ill  prepared  ground.  Could  it  rea- 
sonably be  expected,  that  farmers  with  small  capitals,  and  often 
in  debt,  without  preparatory  education,  a  race  of  men,  prover- 
bially cool  and  cautious,  and  very  properly  so,  would  be  as 
prompt  to  admit,  and  to  act  upon,  a  new  system  of  agriculture 
as  a  manufacturer,  who,  with  greater  natural  skill,  and  much 
more  enterprize,  has  been  able,  in  a  short  period  of  twenty 


328  INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 

years,  lo  rival,  and  in  some  respects  surpass  the  ablest  artizans 
of  Europe  ?  No.  It  was  not  to  be  expected — nay  more,  it 
was  never  expected.  The  history  of  agriculture  forbad  any 
such  hope.  Go  back  for  2000  years,  and  you  find  that,  Vir- 
gil and  Columela  were  in  possession  of  most  of  the  facts 
and  principles  which  are  known  and  acted  upon  at  this  day  in 
the  art  of  agricuhure.  It  is  an  art,  which  has  been  more 
stationary  than  any  other  ;  and  this  is  principally  owing  to  the 
nature  of  the  employment  itself.  It  offers  no  sudden  and  great 
reward,  like  those  resulting  from  opening  new  sources  of  com- 
merce— and  still  less  like  those  which  are  produced  by  new 
inventions  in  manufactures. 

The  discovery  and  application  of  the  Steam-Engine,  by 
Watt,  effected  a  greater  change  in  the  profits  of  the  manufac- 
turing class,  than  could  by  any  possibility  be  produced  by  any 
discovery  whatever  in  the  art  of  agriculture.  There  are, 
therefore,  in  the  science  of  agriculture  none  of  those  splendid 
and  attractive  allurements,  which  call  forth  the  highest  facul- 
ties of  the  human  intellect.  And  when  from  age  to  age  a  new 
thought  has  been  struck  out  in  agriculture,  as  it  does  not  lead 
at  once  to  sudden  wealth,  as  the  experiment  must  be  slow  in 
its  operation,  often  failing  from  negligence,  or  the  variation 
of  seasons,  and  more  especially  as  the  class  of  men,  who  are 
invited  to  adopt  a  new  discovery,  are  from  their  situation  indis- 
posed to  take  great  risks  in  order  to  test  the  soundness  of  new 
propositions,  the  progress  of  agriculture  must  necessarily  be 
very  slow.  Those  v.'ho  would  wish  lo  instruct,  and  improve  our 
agriculture,  must,  of  course,  be  content  with  a  distant  and  re- 
mote fruit  of  their  exertions.  They  must  do  more ;  they 
must  fortify  their  minds  against  many  captious  objections — 
many  declarations  of  even  intelligent  men,  that  their  projects 
have  failed.  It  is,  indeed,  often  a  very  severe  trial  of  patience. 
We  find  that  some  men's  minds  are  so  constituted,  that  they 
derive  a  great  and  unfeigned  (I  have  no  doubt)  pleasure  in 
holding  up  to  ridicule  a  new  project  in  agriculture  ;  forgetting 
that  though   it  may  be  true,  that  one  or  more   propositions  of 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS.  329 

improvement  may  fail  of  being  as  useful  as  the  projectors  im- 
agined, yet  that  this  has  been  the  fate  of  every  other  art  and 
science.  Indeed  it  seems  to  be  the  law,  or  rule  of  all  human 
inventions  and  improvements,  instead  of  being  an  exception  in 
the  case  of  agriculture,  that  all  first  attempts  shall  be  imper- 
fect. The  Steam-Engine,  Whitney's  Cotton  Gin,  and  a  thou- 
sand other  discoveries,  show  that  time  is  necessary  to  give  to 
them  their  fullest  developement.  We  are  not  entitled  to  expect 
such  splendid  discoveries  in  agriculture.  It  is  not,  in  its  very 
nature,  susceptible  of  it.  But  have  not  our  publications,  feeble 
as  they  are,  imperfect  as  we  feel  that  they  have  been,  produced 
much  good  ?  This  is  a  question  upon  wliich,  we  are  sensible, 
many  persons  will  differ.  Yet  may  we  ask,  upon  what  ration- 
al ground  can  those  who  doubt  the  utility  of  the  discussions 
on  agricultural  subjects  repose  their  objections  .''  Is  it  useful  to 
give  to  the  mechanic  and  agricultural  classes,  lectures  on  the 
principles  of  their  respective  arts,  by  means  of  Lyceums,  by 
oral  discourses,  which  are  soon  forgotten — and  can  it  be  useless 
to  place  before  them  the  improvements  of  Europe  in  the  im- 
portant science  of  agriculture  ?  No.  The  sj)irit  of  the  age 
has  settled  this  question.  It  has  decided,  that  there  is  no  dan- 
ger on  the  score  of  the  excess  of  knowledge,  but  from  the  de- 
fect of  it. 

Let  us  refer  to  facts.  Compare  the  state  of  agriculture  in 
this  country  in  1792  with  its  present  condition.  Look  at  the 
returns  made  to  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  forty 
years  since,  in  reply  to  the  questions  which  they  circulated 
throughout  this  State,  and  the  numerous  reports  made  to  the 
same  society  within  the  last  five  years.  A  fair  comparison 
will  convince  any  man  that  agriculture  has  made  nearly  as 
rapid  improvements  as  any  other  Ijranch  of  domestic  industry. 
Will  it  be  denied,  that  these  improvements  have  been  due  in 
some  considerable  proportion  to  the  suggestions  and  information 
conveyed  to  the  public  through  the  publications  of  this  soci- 
ety? Have  not  many  valuable  roots  and  grasses  been  intro- 
duced into  notice  by  means  of  the  press,  which  would  probably 


330  INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 

have  been  either  unknown,  or  confined  to  a  very  limited  cir- 
cle? How  much  has  horticulture  been  advanced,  and  espe- 
cially fruits,  by  the  rapid  dissemination  of  intelligence  ?  Take 
one  example — when,  in  1823,  Mr.  Knight  sent  his  first  present 
of  new  pears,  the  letter  and  list  which  accompanied  it  were 
published  in  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Repository.  With- 
in twelve  months,  applications  were  made  for  these  fruits,  and 
scions  were  actually  distributed  from  the  lower  part  of  Maine 
to  Cincinnati  in  Ohio.  If  there  had  been  no  publication  devo- 
ted to  agriculture,  it  would  have  been  possible  that  fifty  years 
might  have  elapsed  before  these  fruits  would  have  reached  the 
State  of  Ohio.  But  even  if  the  positive  direct  benefit  result- 
ing from  x\gricultural  publications  could  not  be  established,  few 
persons  will  be  disposed  to  question  their  salutary  effects  in 
arousing  the  curiosity,  and  exciting  the  intellectual  powers  of 
the  agricultural  population.  A  most  remarkable  change  has 
been  apparent  in  this  respect. — While  it  was  very  difficult  to 
procure  communications  to  fill  up  two  semi-annual  journals,, 
ten  years  since — three  or  four  agricultural  newspapers,  with  ex- 
tensive subscriptions  and  circulation,  are  at  this  moment  fully 
supplied  with  original  matter ;  and  what  is  most  encouraging, 
far  the  greater  mass  of  articles  are  from  the  pens  of  real  cul- 
tivators. 

It  was  owing  to  the  rapidly  increasing  circulation  and  grow- 
ing value  of  these  newspapers,  that  the  Trustees  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Agricultural  Society  have  been  induced  to  suspend, 
for  some  time  past,  their  publications.  The  newspapers  seem- 
ed to  them  to  supersede  the  necessity  of  their  exertions,  while 
their  publications  might  seem  in  some  degree  to  check  the  sub- 
scriptions and  circulation  of  these  more  useful  means  of  in- 
struction. The  Trustees  were,  however,  induced  to  issue  the 
present  number,  because  the  length  of  the  reports  of  their  com- 
mittees, and  the  importance  of  that  upon  farms  particularly, 
seemed  to  require  this  change.  They  could  hardly  expect 
that  the  New  England  Farmer  should  devote  so  much  of  its 
columns  to  the  reports  of  any  single  society ;  and  it  moreover 
seemed  to  the  Trustees  to  be  expedient,  that  their   reports 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS.  331 

should  be  presented  in  such  a  form,  as  that  those,  who  miglit 
wish  to  preserve  them,  might  add  them  to  the  former  vol- 
umes of  their  Journal. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting 
Agriculture  deem  it  proper  to  explain  the  reasons,  which  in- 
duced them  to  suspend  their  cattle  shows  the  last  year,  and  the 
resolution  to  resume  it  the  present  season.  The  success 
which  had  attended  the  catde  shows  and  ploughing  matches  in 
Great  Britain,  the  ardour  and  activity  which  they  seem  to  have 
excited  in  that  kingdom,  were  sufficient  motives  for  the  intro- 
duction of  them  in  this  country.  It  was  ailmitted  in  Great 
Britain,  that  these  shows  had  materially  assisted  in  the  im- 
provement of  their  breeds  of  cattle.  The  ploughing  matches, 
it  was  also  thought,  had  tended  to  the  amelioration  of  the 
implements  of  agriculture.  In  this  state  of  our  information, 
the  Berkshire  Agricultural  Society  introduced  the  practice  of 
public  cattle  shows  in  Massachusetts.  To  their  example,  we 
feel  ourselves  bound  to  state,  we  were  chiefly  indebted  for  the 
trial,  which  we  made  on  this  plan.  The  European  practice 
and  success  was  familiar  to  us,  before  the  Berkshire  society 
made  the  first  American  experiment  on  the  subject.  Their 
success  seemed  to  aflord  strong  hopes,  that  the  agricultural 
population  might  be  excited,  as  easily  as  the  mercantile  and 
manufacturing  classes,  to  competition,  to  strenuous  exertion,  to 
rivalship.  With  these  examples  before  them,  the  Massachu- 
setts Agricultural  Society  instituted  a  regular  series  of  cattle 
shows,  and  ploughing  matches. 

The  success  of  these  shows  far  exceeded  the  hopes  of  their 
promoters.  All  classes  of  farmers  were  aroused,  and  in- 
duced to  produce  their  best  animals,  for  premium  and  exhibi- 
tion, and  the  ploughing  matches  brought  forward  the  most  skil- 
ful and  correct,  and  careful,  and  judicious  practical  farmers. 
Shall  we  be  thought  to  be  extravagant,  if  we  should  state  that 
the  following  effects  resulted  as  an  almost  inevitable  consequence 
of  these  public  exhibitions  ? 

They  gave,  at  once,  to  the  agricultural  classes,  a  sense  of 
their  importance,  and  of  the  interest    which  the  public  felt  in 


332  INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 

their  success.  For  two  hundred  years,  they  had  been  neg- 
lected as  below  the  notice,  or  beyond  the  sphere  of  the  more 
active  members  of  society.  The  Legislature  had  cherished, 
by  acts  of  incorporation,  by  special  privileges,  every  other 
branch  of  industry ;  but  the  farmer  was  overlooked  as  either 
below,  or  above,  or  beyond  their  notice. 

The  first  trial,  and  all  subsequent  trials  of  the  capability 
of  the  farmers,  of  improvement,  and  of  spirit,  energy,  and 
rivalship  in  their  art,  fully  proved  that  they  were  as  susceptible 
of  the  effects  of  encouragement,  and  of  public  countenance, 
as  any  other  classes  of  society  whatever. 

These  exhibitions  further  proved,  that  the  foreign  animals  of 
improved  races  received  the  marked  attention  of  all  the  visit- 
ors of  the  shows,  notwithstanding  all  the  previous  national  pre- 
judices on  this  subject.  It  did  not  depend  in  any  degree  upon 
the  opinions  of  the  committees  appointed  to  award  the  premi- 
ums; but  the  question  was  settled  by  public  opinion,  by  the  af- 
fluence of  crowds,  who  surrounded  the  imported  and  improved 
animals.  There  must  have  been  some  marked  distinction,  which 
could  thus  draw  the  public  attention  to  any  particular  animal. 

It  is  not  our  purpose,  in  this  short  notice,  to  enter  into  the 
question  whether  the  introduction  of  these  improved  races  is  or 
is  not  a  public  benefit.  We  shall  be  ready  to  enter  into  this 
question  when  we  shall  hear,  that  every  merino  sheep  has  been 
slaughtered,  and  every  owner  of  a  half-breed  improved  short- 
horned  animal  has  discarded  him. 

We  do  most  fearlessly  claim  the  merit  of  having  first  encour- 
aged the  introduction  of  these  animals,  and  of  their  extension 
through  the  country. 

But,  having  set  the  example,  encouraged  the  farmers  by 
these  exhibitions,  and  seeing  societies  established  throughout 
the  State,  we  doubted,  whether  any  future  exhibitions  at  Brigh- 
ton would  any  longer  be  of  use.  The  fatigue,  trouble,  and  ex- 
pense to  the  Trustees,  and  the  diminution  of  their  funds,  would 
of  course  lead  them  to  discontinue  them,  as  soon  as  any  doubts 
were  suggested  as  to  their  utility.     Such  doubts  met  them  from 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS.  333 

inany  sources,  and  they  suspended  tliem.  In  obedience  to 
these  suggestions,  and  in  the  hope  that  the  suspension  of  their 
publick  shows  would  have  the  tendency  to  increase  the  exhibi- 
tions of  other  county  societies,  which  had  sprung  up  in  every 
part  of  the  State,  they  offered  no  premiums  for  the  last  year. 
The  inhabitants  of  Brighton  particularly  felt  this  suspension 
to  be  an  injur}^  to  them.  They  had  made  great  personal  sac- 
rifices to  promote  I  he  cattle  shows.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
County  of  Norfolk  were  also  deprived  of  the  benefits  of  com- 
petition. They  could  neither  afford  to  go  to  Concord,  Worces- 
ter, nor  Taunton.  But  this  was  not  the  worst  effect  of  the  sus- 
pension. Instead  of  aiding  the  other  societies,  and  increasing 
the  interest  in  their  shows,  it  is  alleged  and  believed,  that  the 
suspension  of  the  Brighton  Cattle  Show  has,  in  fact,  checked 
the  zeal  of  the  farmers,  and  raisers  of  catde.  It  is  believed, 
that  the  show  at  Worcester,  the  most  favorably  situated  of  any 
in  the  State,  was  rather  injured  than  promoted  by  the  suspen- 
sion, last  year,  of  the  Cattle  Show  at  Brighton.  It  does  not 
appear  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Central  Society  extraordinary, 
that  such  an  effect  should  have  been  produced.  The  great 
market  for  cattle  raised  in  Massachusetts  is  and  will  probably 
forever  be  that  of  Boston.  The  mart  or  place  of  sale  for  this 
market  has  been  for  fifty  years  the  town  of  Brighton.  It  is  use- 
less to  explain  the  causes  of  this  preference  :  it  is  sufficient  to 
say  that,  like  Smithfield  in  London,  it  has  acquired  this  prefer- 
ence. It  is  central — equally  convenient  to  the  graziers,  and  to 
the  numerous  packers  of  beef  and  pork,  and  market  butchers 
of  the  great  market-providing  towns  in  Middlesex  and  Nor- 
folk. As  the  fatted  cattle  and  sheep,  as  well  as  the  store  or 
lean  cattle  must  come  there  for  a  market,  it  is  more  convenient 
to  them  to  attend  a  cattle  show  in  that  place  than  in  an}^  inte- 
rior county.  Show  Cattle — extraordinary  animals,  will  be  of- 
fered in  greater  numbers  at  Worcester  and  Concord,  if  their 
owners  have  the  additional  motive  and  inducement  of  being 
able  to  offer  the  same  animals  at  Brighton.  The  expense  is 
not  thereby  increased,  but  the  chances  of  success  ;  and  the  re- 
2 


334  LIST    OF    OPFICEKS. 

wards  are  vastly  enhanced.  These  are  the  motives  for/esum- 
ing  the  Cattle  Show  at  Brighton,  suspended  for  one  year  in 
order  to  see  the  effect  of  such  suspension.  The  great  sums 
recently  expended  in  Brighton,  to  accommodate  the  graziers 
and  the  visiters  of  the  cattle  shows,  furnish  a  further  and  suffi- 
cient motive  for  this  apparently  hasty  change  in  the  measures 
of  the  Trustees. 


LIST    OF    OFFICERS 

OF    THE 
MASSACHUSETTSSOCIETY    FOR   PROMOTING    AGRICULTURE, 

Elected  June,  1831. 

His  Honor  Thomas  L.  Winthrop,  President, 
Hon.  Peter  C.  Brooks,  First   Vice  President. 
Hon,  John  Welles,  Second  Vice  President. 
Hon.  Richard  Sullivan,  Cor.  Secretary. 
John  Heard,  Jr.  Esq.  Treasurer. 
Gorham  Parsons,  Esq.  Recording  Secretary. 
Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.  Assistant  Secretary. 

Trustees. 
John  Lowell,  Esq.  Hon.  William  Prescott, 

E.  Hersey  Derby,  Esq.  Israel  Thorndike,  Jr.  Esq. 

S.  G.  Perkins,  Esq.  Hon.  John  C.  Gray. 


OFFICIAL  REPORTS 


OF      THE     COMMITTEES     OF      THE 


MASSACHUSETTS  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY, 


AS  ANNOUNCED  DEC.  7,  1831. 


336 


ON    BUTTEK    AND    CHEESE. 


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ON    liUTTEK   AND    CHEESE.  337 


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338  ON  BUTTER  AND  CHEESE. 

The  quantity  of  Butter  was  extremely  large,  estimated  by 
the  Committee  to  be  little  short  of  thirty  thousand  pounds  ;  the 
greater  part  of  which  was  of  a  very  superior  quality,  and  put 
up  in  very  fine  order.  Some  of  it  was  in  lumps  and  balls,  and 
arranged  most  fancifully  in  boxes,  tubs  and  pots.  The  Com- 
mittee feel  constrained  however  to  say,  that  although  it  appears 
beautiful  to  the  eye,  yet  from  their  experience  it  is  a  mode 
they  cannot  recommend  for  Butter  designed  for  winter  con- 
sumption. They  almost  invariably  found,  that  when  a  large 
surface  was  exposed  to  the  influence  of  the  atmosphere,  it  was 
more  or  less  injured  from  that  cause.  They  would  in  future 
recommend,  that  when  Butter  is  not  designed  for  immediate 
use,  it  should  be  packed  in  firkins  or  casks,  by  which  a  smaller 
surface  will  be  exposed  to  the  air. 

There  was  a  lot  of  Butter  of  four  firkins,  sent  by  Mrs.  Mary 
Noyes,  from  the  Fatherland  Farm  in  Byfield,  for  exhibition 
only,  the  quality  of  which  was  thought  excellent  by  the  Com- 
mittee. 

The  Cheese  in  quantity  did  not  compare  with  the  Butter, 
more  particularly  the  old  Cheese  ;  but  the  most  of  it,  both  old 
and  new,  was  of  a  very  superiour  quality. 

The  Committee  have  had  a  very  arduous  and  responsible 
duty  to  perform.  They  were  assisted  in  their  decision  by 
some  of  the  most  judicious  persons  that  the  city  of  Boston  and 
its  environs  could  furnish  ;  they  feel  under  great  obligations  to 
Edmund  T.  Hastings,  Esq.,  Col.  Thomas  Davis,  William 
Stickney,  Grenville  T.  Winthrop,  and  Newhall  A.  Thompson, 
Esqrs. — the  two  last  kindly  officiated  as  Secretaries ;  also  to 
Messrs.  Warren,  Barry,  and  Park,  who  tendered  their  services 
to  the  Committee  for  awarding  premiums  on  Butter  and  Cheese, 
in  selling  the  same,  as  expressed  in  the  advertisement,  free  of 
charge.  The  Committee  and  their  assistants  devoted  the  whole 
of  Tuesday,  from  early  morn  until  dark,  without  a  moment's 
intermission,  to  the  examination,  and  have  concluded  to  award 
the  premiums  as  follows  : — ■ 


VEGETABLE  AND  GRAIN  CROPS.  339 


ON  BUTTER. 

1st  premium  of  $100  to  Luther  Chamberlain  of  Westborough,  Mass., 

for  entry  No.  23. 
2d  ditto  of  $50  to  Henry  Sprag-ue  of  Princeton,  Mass.,  entry  No.  7 

and  8. 
M  ditto  of  $.30  to  Seth  Davenport  of  Mendon,  Mass.,  for  entry  No.  29. 
4th  ditto  of  $20  to  Samuel  Sawyer,  2d,  of  Sterling,  Mass.,  for  entry 

No.  37. 
5th  ditto  of  $15  to  Gabriel  Parker  of  Southborough,  Mass.,  for  entry 

No.  47. 
6th  ditto  of  $10  to  Mrs.  Lydia  Page  of  Hardwick,  Mass.,«for  entry  No. 

19. 

ON    CHEKSE. 

1st  premium  of  $100  to  Ebenezer  Tidd  of  Ne^v  Braintree,  Mass.,  for 

old  cheese. 
2d  ditto  of  $50  to  John  Matthews  of  New  Braintree,  Ms.,  for  old  cheese. 
3d  premium  of  .$50  to  Roswell  Converse  of  New  Braintree,  Mass.,  for 

new  cheese. 
4th  ditto  of  $30  to  David  Lee  of  Barre,  Mass.,  for  new  cheese. 

The  Premmvi  Butter  sold  asfolloivs  : 
1st  premium  from  32  to  37  cents  per  pound. 
2d        "  "    25  to  35     «  " 

3d        "  "     26  to  27     " 

4th       "  "     26  "  " 

5th       "        private  sale.         " 
6th       "        23  cts.  per  lb. 

E.    HERSY  DERBY,  Chairman. 
Boston,  Dec.  7th,  1831. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  VEGETABLE  AND  GRAIN 

CROPS. 

The  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society 
"On  Vegetable  and  Grain  Crops," — respectfully  Report : 

1.  That  Payson  Williams,  Esq.,  of  Fitchburg,  in  the  County 
of  Worcester,  is  entitled  to  the  premium  of  ^20  on  his  grea 
crop  of  potatoes,  being  584  bushels  on  one  acre. 


340  GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS. 

2.  That  Mr.  Joseph  Perkins  of  Newbury,  in  the  County  of 
Essex,  be  paid  f  20,  being  the  premium  on  the  greatest  crop 
of  onions. — His  was  646J  bushels  on  the  acre, — reckoning 
52J  lbs.  to  the  bushel. 

3.  That  Mr.  John  Wilson  of  Deerfield,  in  the  County  of 
Franklin  is  entitled  to  the  premium  of  |^20  for  his  crop  of 
winter  wheat,  34^  bushels  to  the  acre. 

4.  That  Mr.  Henry  Sprague  of  Princeton,  in  the  County  of 
Worcester, — living  on  the  farm  of  John  Lane  Boylston,  Esq., — 
be  paid  .^10,  as  a  gratuity  for  his  large  crop  of  Indian  corn, 
stated  to  be  109  bushels  on  an  acre.  The  premium  proposed 
on  this  article  was  ^20,  and  by  Mr.  Sprague's  mode  of  estima- 
ting his  crop,  it  exceeded  the  quantity  required.  But  as  he 
omitted  to  comply  with  one  condition,  which  is  deemed  impor- 
tant,— that  of  weighing  the  corn  and  cob,  in  case  of  its  not  being 
sliielled, — the  Committee,  while  they  are  unwilling  to  pass  over 
the  claim  of  Mr.  Sprague  entirely,  have  thought  they  could 
not  with  propriety  recommend  the  payment  of  the  whole  pre- 
mium. 

The  Committee,  thinking  that  the  manner  of  raising  these 
crops  will  be  best  seen  by  the  letters  of  the  claimants,  recom- 
mend that  they  be  published  as  part  of  this  Report. 

The  Committee  regret  to  state  that,  although  thirty-one 
premiums  have  been  offered  by  the  Trustees,  on  crops  deemed 
the  most  deserving  the  attention  of  farmers,  in  our  climate,  on- 
ly four  claims  have  been  presented,  fn  former  years  not  less 
than  an  acre  was  required  to  be  planted,  in  many  cases,  in  or- 
der to  put  in  for  a  premium.  It  was  thought  better  in  1831  not 
to  insist  on  an  acre,  thinking  that  possibly  half  an  acre  might 
make  the  trials  more  general.  The  claims,  however,  have  been 
fewer  than  ever.  The  Committee  are  aware  that  for  certain 
articles,  such  as  potatoes,  mangel  wurtzel,  turnips,  &;c.  the  sea- 
son has  not  been  as  favourable  as  usual  ;  yet  as  it  has  not  been 
such  as  to  cause  a  failure  in  any  thing,  and  as  in  many  things 
the  crop  has  been  abundant,  they  are  disappointed  that  appli- 
cations should  not  have  been  much   more  numerous.     They 


GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS.  841 

are  convinced  it  might  have  been  done,  if  the  inclination  to 
furnish  out  claims  had  not  been  wanting.  The  Committee  can 
only  hope  that,  should  the  Trustees  repeat  their  invitation  to  our 
industrious  and  enterprising  husbandmen,  much  more  attention 
will  be  paid  to  it  than  has  hitherto  been  shown.  The  single 
circumstance  that  the  bounty  of  the  Government  has  been  put 
into  the  hands  of  agricultural  societies,  with  a  view  to  encour- 
age and  improve  our  agriculture,  would  seem  sufficient  to  draw 
attention  from  our  intelligent  farmers.  So  much  was  said  the 
last  year,  on  this  subject,  in  the  report  of  the  Trustees,  that  the 
Committee  forbear  to  enlarge  here,  and  would  merely  request 
a  reference  to  the  remarks  then  made,  and  to  the  instances  of 
fine  crops  there  set  forth. 

P.  C.  Brooks. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

[To  the  Committee  on  Agricultural  Products  of  the  Massachusetts  Agri- 
cultural Society.] 

Gentlemen — In  presenting  my  claim  for  the  premium  offer- 
ed by  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society, 
for  the  largest  quantity  of  potatoes  grown  on  one  acre,  I  will 
state,  that  the  field  cultivated  by  me  the  present  season  for  that 
purpose,  is  a  deep  yellow  loam,  somewhat  rocky — its  situation 
uneven,  with  rather  an  eastern  aspect ;  and  has  been  for  the 
last  seven  years  used  as  mowing  land.  The  sward  was  broken 
last  autumn, — last  May  cross-ploughed,  harrowed,  and  eigh- 
teen cords  of  unfermented  sheep  manure  evenly  spread,  and 
immediately  ploughed  in.  The  sods  again  harrowed  down  and 
the  field  marked  out  three  feet  distant  for  the  seed,  which  was 
placed  eighteen  inches  apart  in  the  furrow.  The  kinds  of  seed 
used  were  the  Blues,  three  fourths — the  other  fourth  of  the  Reds 
of  La  Plata,  the  Chenangos,  and  a  variety  of  the  Whites  pro- 
duced from  the  ball  four  years  since  on  the  farm  of  Maj.  Benja- 
min P.  Williams,  of  Roxbury .  The  quality  of  this  potatoe  is  ex- 
cellent, also  yielding  a  large  crop.  I  beg  leave  to  name  this  va- 
riety the  Canterbury  Whites. 
% 


342  GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS. 

The  planting  was  finished  the  3d  of  June.  When  the 
vines  were  two  inches  above  ground,  the  horse-plough  passed 
twice  between  each  row,  throwing  the  earth  from  the  plants, 
which  were  slightly  dressed  with  the  hoe.  When  the  vines 
were  eight  inches  high,  and  in  the  bud,  the  ridges  between  the 
rows  were  split,  the  plough  throwing  one  half  to  each  row,  the 
hoe  following  to  dress  the  vines  for  the  second  and  last  time. 
In  three  or  four  weeks  the  vines  completely  covered  the  ground, 
thereby  preventing  the  weeds  from  vegetating.  The  digging 
commenced  the  15th  October,  and  finished  the  21st,  when  by 
careful  measurement  we  found  five  hundred  and  eighty-four 
bushels  from  the  acre,  and  of  these,  three  hundred  and  nine- 
teen bushels  were  the  product  of  the  best  half  acre.  In  order 
to  be  understood,  I  will  here  state  that  in  the  item  of  the  ex- 
penses, the  manure,  I  place  but  about  one  third  to  the  potatoe 
crop,  deeming  this  a  fair  average  of  its  exhaustion,  the  residue 
to  be  charged  to  after  crops.  The  quantity  of  seed  used  was 
about  eighty  bushels.  The  reason  for  using  so  large  an  amount 
of  seed,  was  the  low  price  (12  cents)  in  our  market,  which  in- 
duced me  to  plant  the  potatoe  without  cutting,  as  the  saving  by 
cutting,  wouldnot  pay  the  labour.  My  practice  is,  invariably, 
to  cull  the  largest  potatoes  for  seed.  There  is  about  sixty 
young  apple  trees  growing  on  the  field.  Had  the  season  been 
congenial  for  the  culture  of  the  potatoe,  I  should  probably  have 
had  700  bushels  to  the  acre. 

Yours,  Stc.  Payson  Williams. 

FiTciiBURG,  October  21st,  1831. 
I,  Philip  F.  Cowdin,  sworn  surveyor  of  the  town  of  Fitch- 
burg,  at  the  request  of  Payson  Williams,  did  this  day  measure 
for  him  a  certain  lot  of  land  on  which  potatoes  were  grown 
the  present  season,  and  found  the  same  to  be  one  acre,  and  no 
more.  P-  F.  Cowdin. 

I  also  certify,  as  above,  that  I  measured  one  half  of  said  acre 
to  bounds  set  by  those  who  measured  the  product,  it  being  as  I 


GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS.  313 

understood  the  half  acre  from  which  was  obtained  the  greatest 
yield.  P.  F.  Cowdin. 

I  hereby  certify,  that  I  assisted,  in  the  month  of  October,  1831, 
to  harvest  the  potatoes  grown  on  one  acre  of  land  (the  same 
measured  by  P.  F.  Cowdin,)  owned  by  Payson  Williams,  and  by 
careful  measurement  found  the  same  to  be  five  hundred  and 
eighty-four  bushels.  The  number  of  bushels  harvested  from  the 
best  half  of  said  acre,  were  three  hundred  and  nineteen  bushels. 
The  kind  of  potatoes  on  this  half  acre  were  the  Blues,  Reds, 
Whites,  and  Chenango — on  the  half  acre,  which  yielded  two 
hundred  and  sixty-five  bushels,  they  were  wholly  of  the  Blue 
kind.  Elijah  S.   Carter. 

Worcester,  ss.  October  2lst,  1831. — Then  the  above  named 
Elijah  S.  Carter  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  Certifi- 
cate by  him  subscribed. 

Before  me,         David  Brigham,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

EXPENSES    OF    CROP. 

Breaking  the  sward,             _  _  _  _  f  5,00 

Two  ploughings,         -         -  -  -  -  5,00 

Two  harrowings,         -         -  -  -  -  1 ,50 

Marking  out  and  planting,  _  _  _  6,50 

Twice  hoeing  the  field,         -  _  -  _  6,00 

Harvesting  the  crop,             _  _  _  _  18,00 

Manure  exhausted  by  the  crop,  -  -  -  15,00 

80  bushels  seed,  at  12  cts.     (usually  25  cents  at 

this  season  of  the  year,)  _  _  _  9^60 


$66,60 

It  will  be  seen,  that  after  deducting  all  expenses  except  the 
taxes  and  the  interest  on  the  land,  the  profit  from  one  acre  will 
be,  (allowing  the  price  20  cts.  per  bushel,)  fifty  dollars  and  20 
cents.  In  view  of  such  result,  can  any  farmer,  either  book, 
or  practical,  for  a  moment  remain  unconvinced  of  the  inutility 
of  planting  more  than  can  be  well  manured  ?  for  the  expenses 


344  GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS. 

will  be  the  same,  except  in  the  cost  of  manure,  harvesting,  and 
transporting  a  large  instead  of  a  small  crop.  W. 

.\ewbcry,  Nov.  19,  1831. 
[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 

Gentlemen — In  conformity  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
your  society,  I  send  you  a  statement  of  one  acre  of  onions,  the 
growth  of  1831,  the  quality  of  the  soil  varies  from  a  light  yel- 
low, to  a  dark  loam, and  has  been  cultivated  with  onions  sev- 
eral years.  The  20th  of  November  last  there  were  four  cords 
of  barn  manure  ploughed  in,  in  ridges.  The  28th  of  April  follow- 
ing, the  land  was  ploughed,  and  harrowed,  and  three  pounds  of 
seed  sown  in  drills,  fourteen  inches  apart.  The  first  hoeing 
and  weeding  was  done  June  10th,  which  cost  six  days  labour. 
The  last  weeding  was  done  July  7th,  which  cost  six  days  more. 
They  were  harvested  the  first  of  October ;  and  nine  thousand 
and  seven  hundred  bunches  have  been  bunched ;  which,  esti- 
mating 15  bunches  to  the  bushel,  each  bunch  weighing  2^ 
lbs.,  make  six  hundred  and  forty-six  and  a  half  bushels. 

Joseph  Perkins. 

This  may  certify,  that  I  assisted  in  cultivating  and  harvest- 
ing and  measuring  said  crop  of  onions,  which  statement  is 
correct.  Joseph  Perkins,  Jr. 

This  may  certify,  that  at  the  request  of  Joeseph  Perkins, 
I  measured  one  acre  of  land,  and  marked  it  off,  which  ground 
was  covered  with  onions.  Tristram  Little. 

Essex,  ss.  JVovember  28,  1831. — Then  the  above  mention- 
ed Joseph  Perkins,  and  Joseph  Perkins,  Jr.  personally  appeared, 
and  made  oaths  to  the  above   certificates  by  them  subscribed. 

Before  me,  Silas  Moody,  Justice  of  Peace. 

[To  the  Trustees  ot'tlu^  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.]         , 

Gentlemen — I  have  raised  the  present  year,  a  very  fair 
crop  of  winter  wheat,  which  I  lake  the  liberty  to  report  to  you 


GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPb.  345 

for  premium ;  if  ii  should  not  prove  to  be  the  largest  crop  in 
the  State,  it  certainly  is  a  very  good  one  for  our  old  lands 
on  Connecticut  river,  that  have  been  cultivated  for  a  century 
or  more. 

The  land  on  which  this  wheat  grew,  is  a  deep  black  loam, 
and  is  flowed  by  the  Connecticut,  in  the  very  highest  floods. 
It  was  planted  in  1828,  with  Indian  corn  after  grass;  in  1829, 
broom  corn  grew  on  the  same  land,  which  was  manured  in 
the  hill.  Both  were  good  crops.  In  harvesting  the  broom 
corn,  the  stalks  were  cut  by  the  roots,  and  laid  between  the 
rows,  and  a  furrow  turned  on  them.  In  the  Spring  of  1830,  I 
cross-ploughed  the  land  ;  the  stalks  had  then  become  so  tender, 
that  they  would  separate  at  the  joints :  after  harrowing  it,  I 
spread  on  about  ten  ox  cart  loads  of  manure,  of  different  kinds, 
to  an  acre,  then  ploughed  and  harrowed  again,  and  about  the 
last  of  May,  sowed  it  to  hemp,  at  the  rate  of  about  two  bush- 
els to  the  acre  :  I  then  harrowed  and  rolled  it. — 7  acres  and  93 
rods  produced  17  tons,  1 1  cwt.  2  qrs.  13  lbs.  of  dry  stem,  gross 
weight.  After  the  crop  of  hemp  was  taken  from  the  ground, 
I  ploughed  and  harrowed  the  land,  and  in  the  fore  part  of  Oc- 
tober sowed  about  3J  acres  to  wheat ;  the  remainder  I  sowed 
to  rye,  and  harrowed  and  rolled  all,  at  the  same  time :  the  rye 
did  not  produce  more  than  half  as  much  to  the  acre  as  the 
wheat.  The  wheat  sown  was  raised  on  my  farm  the  year  be- 
fore on  new  land  :  it  then  produced  well ;  but  some  of  it  was 
very  badly  grown  in  the  field,  so  much  so,  that  the  wheat 
which  I  sowed  was  not  fit  to  grind  :  this  I  mention  to  show  that 
grain  which  has  been  sprouted  so  badly  as  to  have  the  heads 
look  green,  will  vegetate  again,  as  was  the  case  with  some  of 
this.  It  is  a  bearded  wheat,  brought  from  the  state  of  New 
York  two  years  before,  and  is  probably  the  white  flint.  I  sowed 
at  the  rate  of  about  1^^  bushels  to  the  acre  :  it  was  pretty  thick, 
straw  bright,  mostly  lodged,  in  different  directions,  as  by  a  whirl- 
wind. When  reaping,  I  had  one  acre  measured  off  in  a  parallelo- 
gram across  the  piece,  which  was  kept  by  itself  and  threshed  out 
in  the  latter  part  of  August ;  which  acre   produced  thirty-four 


346  GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS. 

bushels  and  two  quarts,   and  weighed,  by  several  trials,  from 
59J  to  60  lbs.  to  the  bushel.     All  which  is  submitted. 

John  Wilson. 
Deerfield,  Oct.  22d,  1831. 

Franklin,  ss.  October  24th,  1831. — Then  John  Wilson 
above  named,  made  solemn  oath,  that  the  foregoing  statement 
by  him  subscribed  is  true. 

Before  me,  Rufus  Sartin,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

I  hereby  certify,  that  1  measured  the  piece  of  land  above 
mentioned,  and  that  there  was  one  acre,  and  no  more. 

Frederick  Wilson. 
October  25,  1831. 

Franklin,  ss.  JVovember  2,  1831. — Then  the  above  named 
Frederick  Wilson  made  oath,  that  the  above  certificate  by  him 
subscribed  was  true. 

Before  me,  •  Aaron  Arms,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

I  hereby  certify,  that  I  helped  reap,  cart  and  thresh,  and  mea- 
sured up  the  wheat  which  grew  on  the  acre  of  land  aforesaid, 
and  that  there  was  thirty  four  bushels  and  two  quarts  of  the 
same.  Erastus  Streeter. 

Franklin,  ss.  October  25th,  1831. — Personally  appeared 
Erastus  Streeter,  and  made  oath,  that  the  above^certificate  by 
him  subscribed  is  true. 

Before  me,  Hooker  Leavitt,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


Jl  statement  of -parliculars  in  relation  to  a  Jield  of  Corn  cultivated  and 
raised  by  Henry  Sprague,  of  Princeton,  County  of  Worcester,  in  1831, 
on  the  Farm  of  John  Lane  Boylston,  Esq. 

The  field  on  which  said'corn  was  raised,  contains  one  acre 
and  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  rods  by  adraeasurement,as  will 
appear  by  the  plan  and  certificate  of  Joseph  Mason,  Surveyor, 
which  is  hereunto  annexed. 


GRAIN  AND  VEGETABLE  CROPS.  347 

The  land  in  the  spring  of  1831  was  grass,  or  sward  ground, 
and  has  not  been  ploughed  for  thirty  years  previous. 

No  manure  was  spread  upon  the  land  the  preceding  year, 
and  none  for  many  years  previous,  and  the  product  of  hay  on 
said  land,  in  1830,  was  not  more  than  four  hundred  to  the 
acre. 

Thirty-seven  commoncart  loads  of  manure  were  spread  on 
said  piece  of  land  in  the  month  of  May  last,  and  twenty-three 
common  cart  loads  put  into  the  hills;  two  rows  of  potatoes 
were  planted  on  three  sides  of  the  field,  which  was  dressed 
with  the  above-mentioned  manure.  The  land  was  lightly 
harrowed  after  the  manure  was  spread ;  and  ploughed  on  the 
last  day  of  April,  and  second  day  of  May. 

The  seed  was  not  measured,  but  from  5  to  7  kernels  were 
planted  in  a  hill. 

The  corn  was  planted  or  sown  in  hills,  about  3  J  feet  distance  : 
it  was  planted  on  the  26th  of  May,  and  hoed  twice  in  the 
month  of  June,  and  hilled  early  in  July  :  the  crop  was  gathered 
or  harvested  on  the  20th  of  October.  The  quantity  raised 
was  ascertained  by  first  sorting  and  then  filling  one  basket  of 
each  kind,  without  culling,  which  was  shelled  and  measured;  the 
remainder  was  then  measured  in  the  same  baskets,  and  the  en- 
tire crop  of  the  above-mentioned  piece  of  land  was  two  hun- 
dred and  two  bushels  and  twenty-two  quarts.  Shelled  and 
measured  as  above  on  the  14th  day  of  November. 

Henry  Sprague, 
Albert  H.  Sprague. 

Worcester,  ss.  JVovember  21,  1 831. — Then  the  above  named 
Henry  Sprague  and  Albert  H.  Sprague  personally  appeared,  and 
made  oath,  that  the  foregoing  statements  by  them  subscribed 
are  substantially  true. 

Before  me,        Charles  Russell,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

This  is  to  certify,  that  I  have  measured  the  ground  shown 
to  me  on  the  Boylston  Farm  in  this  place,  whereon  Capt.  Hen- 


348 


BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 


ly  Sprague  raised  his  corn,  which  he  intends  to  offer  for  a 
premium  to  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society  at  the  Ex- 
hibition at  Quincy  Hall,  Boston,  in  December  next;  and  find 
the  same  to  contain  one  acre  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
rods.     The  plan  accompanies  this.  Joseph  Mason, 

Sworn  Surveyor. 
Princeton,  Nov.  21,  1831. 


i/2 


E.  5i°  S.  22  Pr.  14  L. 

hJ 

1  Acre,  136  Perches. 

i-H 

0 

0 


T  ZZ  '^d  IZ    N  o8    M 

Surveyed  by  Joseph  Mason. 


Princeton,  Nov.  1831. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  BEST   CULTIVATED 

FARMS. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Trustees,  to  examine  and 
consider  the  claims  for  premiums  for  the  best  cultivated  farms, 
submit  the  following  Report : 

The  Committee,  with  much  regret,  find  that  the  premiums 
offered  by  the  Trustees,  for  the  best  cultivated  farms,  have  not 
received  the  attention  from  our  respectable  farmers,  that  was 
expected.  Only  three  applications  have  been  made  this  year  ; 
and  although  they  all  have  merit,  and  appear  to  come  from  skilful 
agriculturists,  your  Committee  do  not  perceive  in  either  of  them 
such  superiority,  either  in  their  processes  or  results,  as  would 
justify  them  in  recommending  a  premium.     They  had  hoped 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.         349 

that  the  encouragement  offered,  and  the  desire,  which  they  knew 
was  generally  felt  by  that  respectable  class  of  citizens,  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  agriculture,  would  excite  a  generous  com- 
petition among  our  most  intelligent  and  practical  farmers,  which 
would  prove  useful  to  themselves,  and  more  useful  to  their  breth- 
ren, who  had  less  experience  and  skill  than  themselves,  by  en- 
abling the  Trustees  to  communicate,  through  their  statements, 
their  methods  of  cultivating  their  farms,  with  results, — the  most 
satisfactory  tests  of  good  husbandry.  The  information  commu- 
nicated in  this  way  would  be  founded  on,  and  accompanied  by, 
a  historj'  of  the  experiment,  the  best  foundation  of  all  science, 
and  more  especially  of  improvement  in  agriculture.  To  answer 
this  end,  or  indeed  any  other  valuable  purpose,  it  is  indispensable 
that  the  applicant  should  state  with  much  particularity  the  kinds 
and  qualities  of  the  soil  of  his  farm,  his  manner  of  tilling,  manur- 
ing, planting,  sowing,  and  gathering  his  crops  ;  of  manufacturing 
his  butter  and  cheese,  and  making  and  preserving  his  cider  ;  his 
rotation  of  crops,  and  the  quantity  of  produce  of  every  kind, 
and  indeed  all  his  processes  and  operations  in  carrying  on  his 
farm.  To  prevent  misapprehension  and  insure  this  benefit 
from  their  statements,  the  Trustees,  in  their  proposals,  speci- 
fied with  minuteness  the  particulars  which  they  deemed  neces- 
sary to  render  their  account  useful  to  the  public,  and  which 
they  required  to  be  stated  as  the  condition  on  which  the  premi- 
um would  be  allowed  ;  and  although  it  was  perceived  that  this 
particularity  might  occasion  some  trouble  to  farmers,  it  was 
hoped  that  the  benefit  they  might  derive  from  a  more  accurate 
record  of  their  own  proceedings,  the  consciousness  that  they 
were  benefiting  the  public,  and  the  premium  offered,  would  be 
deemed  an  adequate  compensation.  The  Committee,  although 
twice  disappointed,  do  not  relinquish  the  hope  they  at  first  en- 
tertained, nor  feel  a  doubt  of  the  benefits  that  will  accrue  to  our 
farming  brethren  from  this  measure,  if  they  see  fit  to  co-operate 
in  carrying  this  into  effect. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Trustees,  for  many  years  past,  have 
given  premiums  for  the  encouragement  of  the  cultivation  of 
4  * 


360  6n  the  best  cultivated  farms. 

nearly  all  the  different  agricultural  products,  vegetable  and  an- 
imal, that  are  grown  in  our  country,  and  thereby  materially 
promoted  improvements  in  most  of  them  ;  the  judicious  man- 
agement and  cultivation  of  a  farm,  it  is  thought,  requires  a 
combination  and  practical  exercise,  by  the  farmer,  of  all  the 
knowledge  and  skill  necessary  for  the  cultivation  of  the  arti- 
cles separately  that  are  produced  on  that  farm.  It  is  obviously 
a  different  science,  more  complex,  more  difficult  to  learn ;  re- 
quiring judgment,  experience  and  observation  to  carry  it  into 
successful  practice.  A  man  may  know  how  to  cultivate  any  or 
all  of  those  vegetables  separately,  and  yet  not  understand  how 
to  carry  on  a  farm  to  the  best  advantage.  Next  to  an  individ- 
ual's own  experience,  is  a  true  and  particular  account  by  others, 
of  a  judicious  and  skilful  cultivation  and  management  of  farms 
like  his  own,  where  the  expense  of  labour,  markets  for  crops, 
and  habits  of  living,  are  nearly  the  same;  if  he  can  have  their 
method  and  practice  fully  and  accurately  communicated  to  him. 
The  latter  is  indispensable  to  enable  him  to  adopt  their  experi- 
ence as  his  own.  It  will  probably  be  found,  that  many  impor- 
tant agricultural  processes  are  yet  unsettled,  among  our  intelli- 
gent farmers  ;  and  some  practise  one  way  and  some  another, — 
sowing  of  grass  seed  is  an  instance, — whether  it  is  best  to  sow  it 
in  the  fall  or  spring,  by  itself  alone  or  with  grain,  and  what  grain. 
Different  practices  and  opinions,  on  this  head,  will  be  found 
in  the  few  communications  the  Committee  have  received. 
Nothing  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee  would  tend  more  to 
settle  these  questions,  which  must  be  determined  by  experience, 
than  an  interchange  of  the  opinions,  and  accounts  of  the  prac- 
tices of  scientific  and  experienced  agriculturists,  which  a  com- 
petition for  these  premiums  would  produce. 

Although  the  Committee  entertain  these  views  of  the  subject, 
they  cannot  but  feel  a  discouragement  ffom  the  want  of  inter- 
est the  public  appear  to  take  in  it,  which  certainly  ought  to 
lessen  their  confidence  in  its  practicability,  if  not  its  utility. 
They  however  venture  to  recommend  the  continuance  of  a 
bounty  for  this  object,  for  one  year  more ;  provided  the  Trus- 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  351 

tees  shall  think  themselves  justified  in  raising  the  premiums  to 
an  amount  that  will  liberally  indemnify  the  successful  candi- 
dates for  all  the  trouble  and  expense  of  taking  the  particular 
account  required,  and  be  considered  an  honourable  mark  of  dis- 
tinction to  an  intelligent  practical  agriculturist. 

The  Rev.  Morrill  Allen,  of  Pembroke,  has  claimed  a  premi- 
um for   his  farm  of  about  seventy   acres  in  that  town.     His 
statement,  the  Committee  thinks,  shows  him  to  be  a  scientific 
and  judicious  cultivator.     He  states  that  he  had  no  capital,  and, 
in  seaman's  phrase,  was  obliged  to  work  his  passage ;  and  it  ap- 
pears that  he  began  with  purchasing  small  parcels  of  land,  one 
after  another,  gradually  subduing  the  bushes,  and  enclosing  them 
with  walls,  and  then  proceeded  to  improve  the  soil.     Part  of 
the  land  consisted  of  old  fields,  which  had  been  exhausted  by 
tilling  without  manure.     These  he  renewed  principally  by  the 
incorporation  of  earths  of  different  qualities  ;  the  cold  and  tena- 
cious soils  he  dressed  with  silicious  earths,  and  other  materials 
that  tended  to  open  and  warm  them  ;  and  sandy  soils  he  dress- 
ed with   clay  and  swamp  mud,   and  alluvions  in  which   sand 
formed  the  chief  part.     The  Committee  think  Mr.  Alien  has 
shown  judgment   and   discrimination  in  the   mixture  of  earths, 
and  making  compost  manures   adapted  to  the  quality   of  the 
soils  to  which  they  were  to  be  applied,  that  is  worthy  of  no- 
tice and  imitation.     It  will  be  seen  by  Mr.  Allen's  statement, 
that  he  makes  yearly  from  300  to  500  loads  of  compost  ma- 
nure, by  carrying  earths,  swamp  mud,  and  vegetables,  into  his 
barn-yards  and  adapting  the  mixture  to  the  soils  it  is  intended  for. 
This  is  rather  a  large  quantity  for  the  land  he  cultivates,  and 
accounts  for  his  crops  of  grass  on  land  once  exhausted.     Last 
year  he  planted   seven  acres  of  Indian  corn,  three  loamy  and 
four  sandy  soil,  and  in  one  acre  of  the  latter  six  cords  of  compost 
manure,  and  on  another  six  casks  of  lime  were  spread,  but  he 
omits  to  state  the  quantities  produced  on  these  particular  acres  : 
no  manure  was  laid  on  the  other  five  acres,  and  the  whole  pro- 
duced 298  bushels,  which  may  be  considered  a  fair  crop  for  the 
quantity  of  manure  used.  Mr.  Allen's  rotation  of  crops  is  simple. 


352  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATtD    FAllBfS. 

He  tills  nine  acres,  which  he  plants  alternately  with  corn  or  rye, 
and  once  in  five  or  six  years  plants  with  potatoes  or  beans  or 
some  other  vegetables,  which  he  thinks  makes  a  favorable 
change  from  bis  common  course  ;  but  here  again  he  omits  the 
quantity  of  manure  used.  His  practice,  he  says,  is,  as  soon  as 
he  has  taken  off  the  crop  of  rye,  in  August,  to  plough  in  the 
stubble,  and  sow  grass  seed,  which  produces  herbage  that  he  af- 
terwards ploughs  in  as  a  green  dressing.  This  practice  the 
Committee  take  upon  themselves  to  recommend,  convinced 
that  the  farmer  would  find  his  labour  and  expense  amply  com- 
pensated by  its  mellowing  and  enriching  his  land,  and  saving 
his  manure,  the  most  precious  article  on  his  farm.  The 
Committee  regret  that  Mr.  Allen  has  not  stated  when  he  sow- 
ed his  rye,  whether  in  the  spring  or  fall.  Jt  has,  they  be- 
lieve, generally  been  thought,  that  in  common  seasons  Indian 
corn  would  not  be  ripe  for  gathering  in  season  to  sow  winter 
rye.  If  this  can  be  effected  by  planting  early,  or  using  corn 
that  ripens  early  and  yields  well,  it  might  often  be  found  a  con- 
venient and  advantageous  succession  of  crops.  Spring  rye  is  by 
many  not  thought  so  certain  a  crop  ;  but  on  this  question  a  more 
extensive  knowledge  of  the  practice  and  experience  of  successful 
farmers  is  wanted.  Mr.  A.  has  also  omitted  the  quantity  of 
rye  produced  in  this  rotation  of  ci^ops  j  but  he  tells  us  that  in 
laying  down  his  tilled  land  he  prefers  sowing  his  grass  seed 
alone  in  the  month  of  August,  that  September  will  answer  belter 
than  either  of  the  spring  months,  and  that  it  is  better  to  sow  it 
with  winter  rye  than  with  any  spring  grain.  His  clayey  soils, 
not  suitable  for  grain,  he  sometimes  turns  over  with  a  plough 
immediately  after  the  grass  is  cut,  rolls  down  the  furrows,  and  puts 
on  a  dressing  of  manure  and  seed  again.  In  this  way  hay  is 
his  principal  crop,  and  it  appears  that  upon  twenty  acres  which 
have  been  ploughed  and  laid  down,  and  twelve  acres  of  meadow 
and  irrigated  land,  he  usually  cuts,  according  to  his  estimate, 
33f  tons  of  English  hay  of  first  quality,  ten  tons  of  second 
quality,  and  14^  tons  of  inferior  hay,  making  about  58  tons,  bet- 
ter than  17^  tons  to  an  acre,  and  over  a  ton  of  the  first  quality  to 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  353 

an  acre.  The  Committee  regret  Mr.  Allen  did  not  receive  the 
Trustees  notification  in  season  to  ascertain  the  quantity  of  hay 
made  this  year,  as  he  put  it  into  his  barns.  The  estimate  fur- 
nished is  one  made  in  1827,  when  the  hay  was  in  the  barn; 
and  he  says  his  crops  have  varied  but  little  for  four  or  five 
years  past.  Mr.  A.  sells  from  ten  to  fifteen  tons  of  hay  annu- 
ally, and  keeps  but  a  small  dairy.  Mr.  Allen  states  that  forty 
acres  of  his  land  are  of  a  light  sandy  soil,  and  so  much  exhaust- 
ed by  tilling  without  manure,  that  he  was  discouraged  from  at- 
tempting to  recover  it  in  his  usual  way,  and  that  last  spring  he 
ploughed  three  acres,  fenced  it  in,  and  sowed  it  with  locust  seed, 
which  have  come  up  and  look  well,  and  he  expects,  if  the  worm 
should  spare  them,  they  will  enrich  his  land,  and  produce  a  val- 
uable though  distant  crop  of  timber  and  cord-wood.  He  has  al- 
so ploughed  and  sowed  five  acres,  this  fall,  with  white  pine  seed, 
and  was  about  ploughing  in  several  acres  with  white-oak  acorns. 
These  experiments  the  Committee  consider  useful  to  the  pub- 
lic, and  creditable  to  the  enterprising  cultivator,  and  they  most 
heartily  wish  him  success.  One  man  and  a  boy  sixteen  years 
old  are  employed  constantly  on  the  farm ;  and  in  addition,  day- 
labourers  are  frequently  hired. 

It  would  give  the  Committee  pleasure  to  be  able  to  recom- 
mend a  premium  to  this  respectable  and  skilful  cultivator  ;  but, 
considering  that  the  statement  of  the  applicant  to  whom  a  pre- 
mium is  given,  should  not  only  show  that  his  farm  was  judi- 
ciously cultivated,  and  his  particular  method,  but  also  the 
quantities  and  amount  of  all  the  products,  with  as  great  cer- 
tainty as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  allow,  in  order  that  other 
farmers  may  be  able  and  induced  to  improve  by  his  example, — 
they  think  they  should  not  be  justified  in  recommending  a  pre- 
mium to  be  awarded  him  ;  but  they  hope  the  Trustees  will  see  fit 
to  bestow  on  him  a  gratuity  of  fifty  dollars,  for  the  example  he 
has  set  of  judicious  and  skilful  husbandry. 

Peter  Thacher,  Esq.,  of  Attleborough,  has  claimed  a  pre- 
mium for  his  farm  in  that  town,  consisting  of  300  acres.  Mr. 
Thacher's  statement  shows  that  he  has  exercised  good  judgment 


354  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

in  subduing,  renovating,  and  enriching  his  extensive  farm.  It 
appears  that  about  ten  years  ago  he  purchased  an  old  farnn  of 
200  acres,  now  part  of  his  farm,  that  for  several  years  yielded 
him  only  three  or  four  tons  of  hay,  where  he  now  cuts  from 
thirty  to  forty  tons  of  English  hay.  His  method  of  cultivating,  he 
says,  has  been  to  remove  hedges  and  subdue  the  bushes  by  de- 
grees, aod  plant  but  little,  and  manure  that  highly.  He  usual' 
ly  spreads  five  cords  of  manure  on  an  acre,  and  puts  five 
more  in  the  hill,  and  for  four  or  five  years  past  has  gathered 
crops  of  200  bushels  of  potatoes,  and  sixty  bushels  of  corn  to 
an  acre.  That  which  Mr.  T.  seems  to  consider  as  his  greatest 
improvement,  is  the  bringing  into  good  cultivation  a  piece  of  wet 
land,  on  the  sides  of  a  hill,  covered  with  weeds  and  bushes.  He 
commenced  with  the  upper  part,  ploughed  half  an  acre,  drained 
it,  and  then  carried  on  a  quantity  of  old  hay  and  long  manure,  and 
planted  it  with  potatoes,  and  hoed  them  without  ploughing,  and 
it  yielded  a  large  crop  of  good  potatoes  ;  and  in  this  way  he 
reduced  the  whole  piece,  and  it  now  produces  a  great  crop  of 
English  hay.  His  rotation  of  crops  has  been  potatoes  the  first 
year,  the  second  corn,  and  the  third  spring  rye,  with  which  he 
sows  grass  seed  as  early  as  the  state  of  the  ground  will  permit, 
and  rolls  it  down  with  a  heavy  roller.  He  prefers  spring  rye 
to  oats  to  lay  his  land  down  with,  and  the  spring  to  the  fall, 
and  thinks  the  grass  seed  takes  better  with  rye  than  oats.  Mr. 
T.'s  practice  is  to  make  large  quantities  of  compost  manure  in 
his  barn-yard  and  hog-pens  :  in  the  fall  he  carries  it  all  out  of 
his  yard,  and  the  next  spring  spreads  the  manure  thrown  out  of 
the  barn,  over  the  straw  and  hay  that  has  been  collected  in  the 
yard  during  the  winter,  and  covers  the  whole  with  a  crust  of 
loam  that  he  carts  in,  which  he  thinks  prevents  the  strength  of 
the  manure  from  escaping.  This  compost  he  uses  both  for  his 
corn  and  grass.  Mr.  T.  has  500  apple-trees  on  his  farm, 
400  of  which  are  mostly  natural  fruit,  and  appear  to  have  re^ 
ceived  no  particular  attention  from  him  ;  the  other  hundred  are 
young  trees,  engrafted  with  good  fruit,  and  these  he  has  prac- 
tised washing  every  spring  with  soap  and  ley,  mixed  in  equal  parts, 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  355 

^nd  digging  around  and  manuring  tiiem.  He  keeps  fifty  sheep, 
for  some  of  which  he  says  he  has  received  a  premium  in  his 
own  county  ;  but  makes  no  more  butter  and  cheese  than  is  want- 
ed in  his  own  family.  The  Committee  were  particularly  pleas- 
ed to  find  that  Mr.  T.  was  able  to  carry  on  this  large  farm 
without  any  ardent  spirits.  This  practice,  wherever  adopted, 
will  prove  as  beneficial  to  the  labourer  as  the  farmer — highly 
beneficial   to  both. 

Although  the  Committee  cannot  report  that  they  consid- 
er Mr.  Thacher  entitled  to  the  premium  proposed  by  the 
Trustees,  they  with  pleasure  state,  that  they  think  he  has 
great  merit  as  an  agriculturist,  in  subduing  and  bringing  to  a 
state  of  good  cultivation  a  farm,  which,  a  few  years  since,  con- 
sisted of  rough,  exhausted  and  profitless  land. 

Jonathan  Allen,  Esq.  of  Pittsfield,  in  the  County  of  Berkshire, 
has  also  presented  a  claim  for  a  premium  on  his  large  and  ex- 
cellent farm  in  that  town,  accompanied  by  a  statement  of  his 
manner  of  cultivating,  and  the  products  he  gets  from  it.  The 
farm  consists  of  forty  acres  of  meadow  or  intervale,  which  re- 
ceives its  manure  aimually  from  the  overflowing  of  the  House- 
tonic,  and  about  210  acres  of  upland.  Mr.  Allen  appears  to 
have  exercised  much  agricultural  science,  as  well  as  care  and 
attention,  in  the  cultivation  of  his  farm,  and  in  making  useful 
agricultural  experiments.  It  will  be  recollected  that  Mr.  Al- 
len  applied  for  a  premium  on  this  farm  last  year,  and  presented 
a  statement  of  his  manner  of  cultivating  it,  the  crops  it  pro- 
duced, the  rotation  he  has  practised,  and  the  result  of  his  ex- 
perience as  to  the  best  time  and  manner  of  laying  down  land  to 
grass.  This  statement  was  noticed  by  the  Committee,  and 
published  with  their  report  in  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
Repository.  His  statement  as  to  the  general  course  of  his  hus- 
bandry is  not  materially  varied  this  year,  and  the  Committee  re- 
gret to  find  almost  the  same  want  of  particularity  as  to  the 
quantity  of  products.  The  quantity  of  hay,  his  principal  pro- 
duct, rests  on  estimate,  without  having  weighed  a  load  :  a  small 
part  only  of  the  winter  rye  and   oats  were   threshed,   and  no 


356  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

part  of  his  spring  rye  or  beans  were  threshed,  or  in  any  way 
measured  ;  but  his  Indian  corn  was,  and  four  acres  were  found 
to  produce  450  bushels  of  ears :  Indian  corn  was  grown  upon 
the  same  land  the  year  before,  and  this  year  it  was  ma- 
nured with  seventeen  loads  to  the  acre,  put  into  the  hills. 
Sheep  are  the  principal  stock  of  the  farm  :  he  kept  430  this 
year,  from  350  of  which  he  sheared  851  lbs.  of  wool  of  the  first 
quality.  May  he  considers  the  best  time  for  lambs  to  come. 
Mr.  Allen  states  that  in  years  past  he  has  made  experiments  in 
raising  potatoes,  and  this  year  has  made  many  more  with  care 
and  attention,  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee,  entitle 
him  to  the  thanks  of  the  public.  For  a  particular  account  of 
these  experiments  they  refer  to  his  statement,  which  accompa- 
nies this  report,  and  recommend  it  to  the  attention  of  agricul- 
turists. From  a  remark  of  Mr.  Allen,  that  he  could  not  with 
convenience  thresh  out  his  grain  in  season  to  measure  it  so  ear- 
ly as  was  required,  the  Committee  apprehend  he  must  have 
misunderstood  their  regulation,  which  only  requires  that  the  ap- 
plication should  be  made  by  the  first  of  October,  but  the  evi- 
dence or  particular  statement  may  be  exhibited  any  time  before 
the  first  of  December.  It  appears  to  the  Committee  that  Mr. 
Allen  has  cultivated  his  farm  like  a  skilful  and  attentive  agricul- 
turist, and  realized  great  products,  and  they  hope  profits  ;  but 
his  statement  is  too  general  and  indefinite,  leaving  the  quanti- 
ties of  the  greatest  part  of  the  produce  to  depend  on  estimate  ; 
and  they  think  does  not,  on  the  whole,  show  his  cultivation  so 
superior  as  to  justify  them  in  reporting  in  favour  of  a  premium. 
Considering,  however,  the  pains  Mr.  Allen  has  taken  to  intro- 
duce upon  his  farm  a  variety  of  vegetable  products,  and  choice 
fruit,  and  especially  the  nice  care  and  attention  he  has  given  to 
the  cultivation  of  potatoes,  the  most  valuable  of  our  roots,  the 
Committee  recommend  a  gratuity  of  thirty  dollars  to  be  grant- 
ed him. 

Wm.  Prescott. 

P.  C.  Brooks. 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  367 


[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society.] 

Gentlemen, — Situated  at  a  distance  from  any  considerable 
market  town,  it  would  be  absurd  in  me  to  think  of  entering  in- 
to competition  in  the  aggregate  amount  of  crops,  with  farmers 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  where  manure  is  attainable  to  any 
desired  extent.  On  the  supposition  that  the  management  of 
farms  is  judged  in  reference  to  local  advantages  and  inconve- 
niences, my  hope  is  founded  of  sustaining  a  claim  to  a  premi- 
um. There  have  never  been  any  very  great  improvements 
made  on  my  farm  in  any  one  year.  The  object  has  been 
yearly  to  add  something  more  in  earthy  and  vegetable  sub- 
stances to  the  fields,  than  was  taken  from  them  in  the  removal 
of  crops.  To  give  a  just  idea  of  improvements  made,  a  brief 
history  of  the  operations  maybe  necessary.  My  first  purchase 
of  land  was  in  1802,  fifteen  acres, — the  greater  part  of  which 
was  in  a  very  rough  state,  and  as  much  of  it  as  had  been  tilled 
reduced  by  severe  cropping.  The  rocks  were  removed  to 
enclose  the  ots,  and  the  bushes  subdued  with  the  plough,  as  fast 
as  the  necessary  means  could  be  obtained  for  accomplishing 
those  objects  ;  the  progress  was  not  rapid  in  the  beginning,  be- 
cause, being  entirely  destitute  of  capital,  I  was  obliged,  in  sea- 
man's phrase,  to  "  work  my  passage."  When  the  fields  were 
enclosed  with  walls  and  the  bushes  subdued,  attention  was  di- 
rected to  the  plats  which  had  been  tilled  almost  to  exhaustion. 
And  the  principal  means  of  renewing  them  within  my  power 
was  the  incorporation  of  earths  of  different  qualities.  Cold 
and  tenacious  soils  were  dressed  with  silicious  earth,  andother 
materials  that  tended  to  open  and  warm  them.  Sandy  soils 
were  dressed  with  clay,  swamp  mud,  and  alluvions  in  which 
sand  formed  the  least  considerable  part.  This  course,  in  seven 
years,  gave  ten  tons  of  English  hay  where  less  than  two  were 
obtained  before,  and  about  double  the  quanity  of  grain  on  the 
acre.  In  1817,  another  lot  of  sixteen  acres,  a  large  portion  of 
it  in  a  similar  state  with  the  first,  was  purchased  and  managed 
5 


368  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  , 

in  the  same  way.  About  the  same  time  were  purchased  seven 
acres  of  fresh  meadow,  on  which  no  otl)er  improvements  have 
been  made  than  clearing  away  bushes,  tunneUing  and  cutting 
ditches  in  such  directions  as  would  irrigate  the  whole  meadow. 
Another  snjall  lot  was  enclosed  from  a  pasture,  in  1820,  and 
has  since  been  cultivated  as  English  meadow  and  tillage.  Four 
acres  of  the  above  lots  are  light  sandy  soils,  six  acres  hazel 
loam,  suitable  for  grain  or  grass,  five  acres  dark  friable  soil,  fif- 
teen acres  argillaceous,  and  ten  acres  of  irrigated  fresh  meadow. 
Seven  acres  were  planted  with  Indian  corn  the  present  year, 
three  acres  of  loam  and  four  acres  of  sandy  soil.  On  one 
acre  of  the  loam  about  six  cords  of  barn  manure  were  spread 
and  ploughed  in  ;  on  another  acre,  wJiere  in  other  years  meadow 
mud  had  been  applied,  six  casks  of  lime  were  spread  ;  on  the 
other  fields,  which  produced  rye  the  preceding  year,  there  was 
no  application.  The  corn  was  planted  in  drills, — this  method 
has  been  in  practice  on  the  farm  more  than  twenty  years,  and 
is  in  my  judgment  preferable  to  any  other.  The  corn  was 
harvested  between  20th  Sept.  and  20th  Oct.  Weight  of  whole 
crop  22381  lbs.— 298^iths  bushels.  The  same  fields  the 
preceding  year  produced  120  bushels  of  rye.  The  present 
year  there  were  only  about  two  acres  in  rye,  and  the  produce 
was  25  bushels. 

There  are  nine  acres  in  tillage,  alternately  planted  with  corn 
and  rye,  excepting  once  in  five  or  six  years,  each  field  is  plant- 
ed with  potatoes,  beans,  or  some  other  vegetable  considered  fa- 
vorable as  a  change  from  the  ordinary  course.  The  stubble 
of  rye  is  ploughed  in,  immediately  after  the  removal  of  the 
crop,  and  some  kind  of  seed  applied  to  produce  herbage  to  be 
ploughed  in  as  green  dressing.  Potatoes  this  year  were  planted 
only  on  the  borders  of  cornfields,  under  trees,  and  in  other 
situations  where  not  much  produce  could  be  expected, — 80 
bushels  were  gathered.  From  200  to  300  has  been  the  aver- 
age crop  in  the  last  four  years.  No  other  roots  are  cultivated 
except  in  the  kitchen  garden.  Thirty-two  acres  were  mowed, 
twenty  of  which  have  been  ploughed,  and  will  produce  good 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  359 

English  hay  in  common  seasons,  with  liberal  manuring  ;  but  a 
succession  of  wet  seasons  has  introduced  on  a  part  of  it  so 
much  wild  grass,  that  the  hay  is  not  now  suitable  for  the  mar- 
ket, though  good  stock  hay.  There  are  ten  acres  of  irrigated 
land,  as  above  mentioned,  and  two  acres  of  fresh  meadow  over 
which  water  does  not  often  pass.  The  hay  was  located,  before 
the  offer  of  premium  was  published,  in  such  manner  that  it  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  ascertain  with  accuracy  the  quantity.  Some 
of  it  was  placed  in  barns  with  old  hay,  and  some  of  it  sold  in 
the  fields.  The  crop  of  hay  has  varied  very  little  for  four 
years,  yet  supposed  to  have  gradually  increased.  In  1827,  the 
whole  crop  was  measured  in  the  mow  in  September,  after  it 
was  thoroughly  settled.  F6ur  cords  of  English  hay  were  con- 
sidered equal  to  a  ton,  and  five  cords  of  fresh.  According  to 
that  measurement,  there  were  33f  tons  of  first  quality  or  good 
English  hay,  10  tons  of  second  quality,  and  14jths  tons 
fresh  hay.  Five  acres  then  mowed  are  now  in  tillage.  From 
two  to  three  tons  of  second  crop  areannually  cut,  in  situations 
where  it  is  not  convenient  for  cattle  to  feed.  Compost  manure, 
made  with  reference  to  the  quality  of  the  soil  where  it  is  to  be 
applied,  is  every  year  spread  on  the  mowing  land.  Sand  is 
made  a  principal  ingredient  of  compost  for  the  clayey  soils,  and 
swamp  mud  or  clay  for  loose  soils.  From  three  to  five  hun- 
red  loads,  40  bushels  in  the  load,  are  made  in  a  year  and  applied 
chiefly  in  autumn,  not  so  much  from  choice  as  necessity,  there 
being  no  other  season  of  sufficient  leisure  to  accomplish  the 
work.  In  laying  down  tilled  land  to  grass,  I  choose  to  sow 
the  seed  about  the  last  week  in  August  and  put  no  grain  with 
it ;  but  any  time  in  the  month  of  September  will  do  better  than 
either  of  the  spring  months  ;  and  if  sown  with  winter  rye,  it  will 
do  better  than  with  spring  grain.  The  clayey  soils  which  are 
not  suitable  for  grain,  I  sometimes  turn  over  with  the  plough  im- 
mediately after  the  grass  is  cut,  roll  down  the  furrows,  and  put  on 
a  dressing  of  manure  and  seed  again.  In  this  course,  cultivated 
grass  is  renewed  without  the  loss  of  any  crop.  I  use  chiefly 
herds  grass  seed,  and  put  one  fourth  of  a  bushel  on  an  acre. 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

I  have  forty  acres  of  pasture  of  alight  soil,  and,  in  the  pos- 
session of  other  owners,  it  was  alternately  tilled  and  pastured 
in  so  quick  succession  that  only  very  small  crops  of  corn  or 
rye  can  now  be  obtained.  The  number  of  acres  discouraged 
me  from  attempting  to  renew  it  in  my  usual  way  of  mixing 
soils  ;  and  therefore  a  plan  is  formed  to  renew  it  in  the  opera- 
tions of  nature.  Last  spring  a  field  of  between  two  and  three 
acres  was  fenced,  ploughed,  and  sowed  with  the  seed  of  the 
yellow  locust  tree.  The  seed  came  up  well  and  the  most 
thrifty  of  the  young  trees  are  now  three  and  a  half  feet  high. 
If  the  worms  should  not  oppose  me,  there  will  probably  be  a 
very  flourishing  grove,  which  in  a  (ew  years  will  effectually  re- 
cruit the  soil.  In  this  connexion,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  men- 
tion that  I  have  this  fall  sowed  five  acres  of  common  land  with 
the  seed  of  white  pine,  and  am  now  planting  several  acres  with 
acorns,  which  it  is  intended  to  protect  against  cattle  with  a  fence. 

The  number  of  apple  trees  on  the  farm  is  eighty,  most  of 
them  situated  in  two  small  orchards.  There  are  some  scat- 
tered trees,  and  a  few  cultivated  in  the  garden.  Nearly  half 
the  trees  have  been  ingrafted,  chiefly  with  winter  fruit.  This 
year  there  are  no  apples.  The  last  year,  probably,  there  were 
an  hundred  bushels  of  winter  apples,  and  enough  beside  to 
make  six  or  eight  barrels  of  cider.  The  principal  attention 
given  trees  after  they  have  attained  the  bearing  state  and  need 
little  or  no  more  pruning,  is  to  scrape  off"  the  rough  bark  and 
moss  early  every  spring  and  wash  the  bodies  of  the  trees  and 
the  large  limbs  with  very  strong  soap-suds  or  a  solution  of  pot- 
ash. 

The  barns  have  been  built  in  succession,  and  some  of  those 
first  erected  are  of  very  incommodious  form  for  the  general 
purposes  of  a  farmer.  They  were  built  when  there  was  no 
expectation  of  needing  much  room  for  the  storage  of  hay  and 
grain,  and  some  other  uses  of  them  were  in  contemplation. 
The  first  barn  is  20  feet  wide  and  30  feet  in  length,  the  second  20 
and  40  ;  the  third  30  feet  square,  built  for  the  exclusive  purpose 
of  storing  hay ;  the  fourth  26  and  30 ;  and  the  fifth  30  feet 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  361 

square.  Under  a  portion  of  two  of  the  barns  openings  are  left  to 
shelter  the  cattle  from  the  severity  of  the  weather.  The  barns 
were  located  with  a  view  to  convenience  and  facility  in  getting 
the  hay  and  manuring  the  fields.  There  are  four  barn-yards, 
three  of  thera  are  built  square,  and  hollowed  a  little  in  the  mid- 
dle, for  the  retention  of  the  manure  ;  the  fourth  is  of  irregular 
shape,  to  give  the  catde  access  to  a  spring  of  water.  Into  the 
yards,  such  kinds  of  earth  are  carted,  as  are  considered  best 
adapted  to  the  fields  where  the  manure  is  to  be  applied.  With 
the  earth  every  sort  of  vegetable  substance  is  incorporated, 
which  can  be  easily  obtained.  These,  with  the  droppings  of 
the  cattle,  make  rich  beds  of  compost  every  year. 

The  usual  stock  on  the  farm  consists  of  one  horse,  six  oxen, 
three  cows,  and  eight  or  ten  young  creatures.  The  horse  and 
oxen  not  pastured  much  on  the  farm.  From  about  the  mid- 
dle of  July  to  the  first  of  September  this  year,  five  cows  were 
milked,  two  of  them  heifers  of  only  two  years  old.  The  cows 
were  under  the  care  of  a  tenant.  Cheese-making  was  not  com- 
menced early  in  the  season,  and  continued  only  to  20th  Sep- 
tember. Milk  was  daily  taken  for  the  use  of  the  family,  in 
which  there  are  several  young  children.  The  return  of  cheese 
made  was  464  lbs.  From  the  20th  Sept.  to  Nov.  5th,  butter 
was  made  with  four  cows  and  the  milk  given  to  swine.  The 
return  of  butter  was  70  lbs.  The  cows  have  something  of 
mixed  blood,  but  are  chiefly  of  native  breed,  and  were  raised 
on  the  farm.  Three  swine  only  are  kept,  fed  with  the  refuse 
of  the  house,  boiled  potatoes,  and  corn.  The  annual  quantity 
of  pork  is  about  900  lbs. 

My  cattle  in  winter  are  fed  chiefly  on  hay,  milch  cows  have 
some  meal  and  vegetables,  and  oxen  intended  for  beef  the  suc- 
ceeding fall  are  fed  with  some  grain  the  last  of  winter.  Calves 
to  be  raised  are  suffered  to  suck  one  half  the  milk  of  the  cows 
ten  weeks,  then  put  into  a  good  pasture  till  October,  when  they 
are  put  with  fattening  cattle,  where  they  soon  learn  to  eat  what- 
ever is  given  out,  and  become  very  vigorous  to  endure  the  in- 
clemencies of  winter. 


362         ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

About  two  tons  of  beef  are  made  in  a  year  on  grass,  green 
corn-stalks  and  refuse  corn.  Oxen  and  cows  are  generally 
turned  off  to  beef  for  some  other  reason  than  the  particular 
age  ;  and  at  what  age  it  would  be  most  profitable  to  turn  off 
those  of  excellent  qualities,  is  a  question  which  has  never  em- 
ployed much  of  my  attention.  The  principal  product  of  my 
farm  is  hay,  of  which  ten  or  fifteen  tons  are  annually  put  up  for 
sale.  The  residue  is  sufficient  to  winter  twenty-five  head  of 
cattle  ;  but  the  pasture  not  being  equal  to  the  summering  of 
nearly  that  number,  a  part  of  the  stock  wintered  is  often  sold 
in  the  spring.  One  man  and  a  lad  sixteen  years  old  labor  con- 
stantly on  the  farm  ;  in  addition  to  which,  day  laborers  are  fre- 
quently employed.  The  present  year,  twenty  acres  of  the 
mowing  land  were  put  out  on  a  share,  and  forty  days  labor 
hired.  One  gallon  of  rum  was  used  by  some  elderly  laborers, 
who  have  worked  on  the  farm  more  than  twenty  years  in  the 
hay  season  ;  and  the  owner  supposed  the  cause  of  temperance 
would  be  injured  rather  than  promoted  in  withholding  from 
these  men  their  accustomed  portion,  who  never  in  their  lives, 
to  his  knowledge,  drank  to  intoxication. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Merrill  Allen. 

Plymouth,  ss.  Pembroke,  JVov.  21,  1831. — Personally  ap- 
peared before  me  the  above  named  Merrill  Allen,  and  made 
oath  that  the  above  statement  by  him  subscribed,  was  true,  ac- 
cording to  his  best  knowledge  and  belief. 

KiLBORN  Whitman,  Justice  of  Peace. 

Lot  1,  15  acres,  Part  in  a  rough  state — part  too  much  cropped, 

"    2,  16      "  Much  the  same  as  the  above. 

"    3,  7      "  Meadow — fresh  meadow, 

"    4,  Small  lot  from  a  pasture. 

4  acres  are  light  sandy  soil.  6  acres  hard  loam,  suitable  for 
grain  and  grass.  5  a  dark  friable  soil.  15  argillaceous.  10 
irrig;ated  fresh  meadow. 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  363 

This  year  three  acres  of  loam,  and  four  acres  of  sandy  soil 
were  planted  with  corn. 

On  one  acre  of  loamy  land,  six  cords  of  manure  were  ploughed 
in.  On  one  acre  sandy,  six  casks  lime — in  other  years,  meadow 
mud  had  been  put  in. 

On  the  other  fields  which  produced  rye  the  preceding  year, 
no  manure. 

Corn   planted  in  drills,  gathered  298iiths  bushels  42^ths. 

Nine  acres  in  tillage — corn  and  rye  alternately — excepting 
once  in  five  or  six  years,  a  crop  of  potatoes  or  beans. 

The  stubble  of  the  rye  is  ploughed  in  immediately  after  tak- 
ing off  the  crop,  and  some  kind  of  seed  is  applied  to  produce 
herbage. 

From  200  to  300  bushels  potatoes  his  average  crop  for  three 
or  four  years  past. 

Mows  32  acres — twenty  of  which  have  been  ploughed — 
yields  good  English  hay. 

10  acres  of  irrigated  meadow — and  two  acres  of  fresh  mea- 
dow. 

1827.     33|  tons  of  hay,  first  quality. 

10         do  second  quality. 

14|ths  fresh  hay. 

58 
Sand  principal  ingredient  for    clayey,  and  swamp  mud  in 
sandy  loose  soil — 300  to  500  loads — in  autumn. 


Benjamin  Guild,  Esq. 

Dear  sir, — It  is  but  a  few  days  since  I  saw  or  knew  of  the 
premiums  offered  by  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society 
for  the  best  cultivated  farm;  and  a  less  number,  since  I  thought 
of  offering  mine.  Not  being  in  the  habit  of  writing,  I  fear  I 
shall  make  a  bungling  hand  at  it.  I  do  not  suppose,  that  mine 
will  compare  with  many  of  the  farms  in  Massachusetts,  where 
there  has  been  thousands  laid  out ;  but  believing  that  I  have  made 
considerable  improvements  within  a  few  years,  with  small  ex- 


364         ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

pense,  I  therefore  offer  my  farm,  which  lies  in  the  East  parish 
in  Attleborough,  containing  about  three  hundred  acres  of 
land,  lying  nearly  square.  The  soil  is  variable  as  to  quality; 
there  are  about  twenty  acres  of  old  fields,  worn  out,  lying  at 
one  corner;  about  fifty  acres  deep  black  loam,  and  nearly  clear 
of  stones;  about  thirty  acres  of  meadow  or  low  land  ;  about  one 
hundred  acres  of  wood-land  lying  upon  one  side  ;  and  another 
part  of  strong,  moist,  cold  land,  which  never  was  ploughed, 
and  might  nearly  all  be  made  into  excellent  mowing  land, — but 
it  is  used  as  pasture.  My  English  mowing  lies  at  the  head  of 
a  small  spring  brook,  and  has  something  of  the  shape  of  a 
plate,  except  that  there  is  one  place  for  the  water  to  pass  off, 
and  the  meadow  or  low  land  lies  on  said  brook,  to  where  it  en- 
ters Ten  Mile  River. 

Two  hundred  acres  of  this  farm  I  purchased  about  ten  years 
since,  for  which  I  paid  $5000.  The  said  farm  was  very 
much  run  out,  having  been  let  for  a  number  of  years.  The 
first  year  I  cut  but  three  tons  of  English  hay,  that  could  be 
called  good,  on  the  farm  that  I  sold.  Two  or  three  of  the  last 
years  I  suppose  I  have  cut  from  forty  to  fifty  tons  yearly. 
The  last  year  I  kept  an  account  of  what  I  sold,  which  was 
about  eighteen  tons,  which  I  put  into  a  barn  by  itself;  that  I  sold 
for  $16  per  ton,  by  carting  it  five  miles  to  Pawtucket.  The  re- 
mainder of  my  English  hay,  I  put  into  another  barn  for  ray 
stock,  and  it  was  quite  certain  that  I  did  not  sell  half  of  it.  This 
year  I  think  I  have  put  into  the  same  barn  twenty  tons,  for  fall, 
which  filled  a  30  by  40  feet  barn,  when  it  was  first  put  up.  I 
put  more  than  this  into  another  barn  for  my  stock.  Of  said 
hay  all  but  about  two  loads  was  cut  on  the  said  two  hundred 
acres,  and  I  have  turned  out  about  fifteen  acres  to  pas- 
ture that  was  formerly  mowed.  The  method  I  have  taken  has 
been  to  move  fences  and  subdue  hedges,  plant  but  little  and 
manure  highly.  I  have  made  it  a  rule  for  five  or  six  years 
past,  to  plant  about  four  acres  with  potatoes,  and  get  from  one. 
to  two  hundred  bushels  per  acre, — and  four  with  corn,  yield- 
ing about  sixty  bushels  to  the  acre  of  shelled  corn.     I.  general- 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  ~        365 

iy  spread  on  about  five  cords  of  manure  to  the  acre,  and  put 
about  as  much  more  in  the  hill.  My  hands  have  told  me  some- 
times that  I  should  spoil  my  potatoes  by  putting  in  so  much. 

But  the  greatest  improvement  I  have  made  is  in  subduing 
fallow  land,  which  was  always  run  round  as  though  it  was  worth- 
less ;  and  it  indeed  was,  as  it  then  lay,  for  it  was  in  the  way, 
lying  in  the  middle  of  my  mowing  land,  and  yielded  nothing 
of  any  value.  I  begun  upon  the  upper  side  (for  it  lay  on  a 
gentle  descent)  and  ploughed  about  half  an  acre  for  experi- 
ment, and  drained  it  as  well  as  I  could,  but  the  water  was 
constantly  issuing  out  of  the  ground  on  every  part,  in  our  driest 
seasons.  My  neighbours  told  me  it  was  labour  lost;  but  I 
carried  in  considerable  old  hay  and  long  manure,  and  laid  it 
out  for  potatoes,  and  planted  them  on  it,  and  hoed  them  to  sub- 
due the  ground,  for  we  could  not  turn  it  over  with  the  plough, 
that  it  would  not  turn  back.  In  the  fall  we  gathered  a  fine 
crop  of  large  excellent  potatoes.  I  think  I  have  learnt  by  expe- 
rience that  blue  or  red  potatoes  are  better  suited  to  this  soil 
than  white  ones. 

I  went  on  till  the  whole  was  subdued,  and  laid  down  to  herds 
grass  and  Rhode  Island  hay,  being  about  four  acres,  and  now  it 
produces  from  two  to  three  tons  of  good  hay  per  acre,  yearly. 
There  is  about  six  or  eight  inches  of  soil  or  mud  on  the  top, 
and  we  then  come  to  a  hard  pan  of  gravel  and  clay. 

I  have  generally  sown,  for  a  number  of  years,  five  or  six  acres 
of  pasture  land  to  winter  rye,  such  as  was  suitable,  and  put  on  no 
manure.  I  only  take  oiFa  crop,  and  let  it  lie  for  pasture  ;  gen- 
erally sowing  on  Rhode  Island  seed  with  the  rye.  Sometimes 
I  have  sown  it  on  the  snow  in  the  Spring,  for  experiment,  but  I 
do  not  know  that  it  makes  much  difference.  My  winter  rye  is 
usually  light,  say  six  or  seven  bushels  per  acre. 

I  have  sown  down  mowing  land  with  spring  rye,  believing  it 
to  be  much  better  than  oats  for  the  land,  and  also  for  the  grass. 
The  seed  will  take  much  better  for  some  reason ;  and  that 
ground  which  is  not  suitable  for  rye  1  sow  only  with  hay  seed. 
I  put  on  manure  only  when  I  plant  it.  Spring  rye  is  generally 
6 


366  ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

quite  good,  say  from  12  to  15  bushels  per  acre.  I  generally  re- 
serve a  spot  for  round  or  English  turnips,  and  sometimes  plough 
a  piece  of  sward,  after  taking  off  the  hay  where  I  intend  to 
plant  the  next  year,  turning  it  over  smooth,  and  spreading  on 
some -manure — then  harrowing  it  well  with  a  light  harrow  to 
cover  the  manure,  but  not  harrowing  up  the  sward ;  then  sow  the 
seed  thinly,  and  harrow  it  in;  and  sometimes  raise  a  good  crop 
very  early  in  this  way,  say  from  one  to  two  hundred  bushels 
per  acre.  I  also  sow  turnip  seed  on  my  manure  that  1  dress  my 
corn  with  in  the  hill,  and  raise  my  early  turnips  for  the  family, 
and  sometimes  a  large  quantity  of  large  turnips  for  the  cattle. 
I  have  also  made  a  point  of  raising  a  number  of  bushels  of 
ruta  baga  for  my  table  and  cattle,  which  I  think  are  very  ex- 
cellent for  milch  cows. 

1  have  about  60  acres  of  English  mowing,  and  I  generally 
have  from  12  to  15  acres  of  it  up  to  corn,  potatoes,  and  spring 
grain.  I  plant  none  but  this.  I  have  ploughed  all  of  it ;  but  shall 
not  think  of  ploughing  the  low  lands  mentioned  any  oftener  than 
I  find  it  necessary ;  but  shall  spread  manure  every  fall. 

The  hay  consists  of  herds  grass  or  timothy,  red  top,  Rhode 
Island,  and  clover.  I  have  a  ditch  out  of  a  swamp,  and  can  wa- 
ter almost  all  my  mowing,  in  the  fore  part  of  the  season.  I 
mow  about  30  acres  of  meadow  or  low  land,  which  I  think 
cuts  about  thirty  tons  of  hay,  or  nearly,  and  is  principally  the 
common  brook  meadow  grass.  I  have  thrown  the  water  over 
a  part  of  it,  which  has  made  considerable  improvement  to  quan- 
tity and  quality  of  hay.  1  like  to  raise  my  own  hayseed  and 
sow  it, — I  think  it  does  much  better  than  I  can  buy.  1  do  not 
clean  it,  therefore,  I  cannot  be  particular  as  to  quantity.  I  want 
but  little  Rhode  Island  or  red  top,  but  am  not  afraid  of  putting 
on  too  much  herds  grass,  or  clover.  If  we  do  not  put  consid- 
erable clover  seed  on  rich  ground,  the  hay  will  be  very  coarse 
and  nearly  worthless.  I  choose  the  early  spring  sowing, 
and  think  it  the  best;  but  wait  till  the  ground  gets  dry,  if 
it  is  not  till  the  fall.  I  have  been  troubled  about  low  ground 
taking  the  seed  ;  and  have  a  number  of  times  sown  in  the 


[ 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  367 

spring,  after  the  land  was  laid  down,  on  what  sward  there  was, 
and  it  has  done  well.  I  have  about  a  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
of  pasture  land, — about  one  half  of  which  was  never  ploughed. 
One  half  the  other  I  plough  and  sow  to  rye  as  before  mention- 
ed ;  the  other  quarter  has  scarcely  been  ploughed  this  forty 
years,  or  since  my  recollection. 

The  number  of  apple  trees  on  the  farm  is  about  five  hun- 
dred, mostly  in  orchards.  One  orchard  of  about  one  hundred 
trees  was  set  out  about  forty  years  ago.  One  of  about  one 
hundred  trees  about  twenty  years  ago.  One  of  about  two 
hundred  trees  about  fifteen  years  ago.  The  greatest  part  of 
them  are  natural  fruit.  About  fifty  grafts  have  been  grafted 
occasionally,  as  opportunity  offered,  and  some  of  them  are  hard- 
ly in  bearing.  To  those  trees  we  have  done  but  very  little, 
except  trimming,  and  putting  chip  manure  and  old  pumice 
around  them,  to  keep  the  sward  loose.  I  made  about  90  bar-^ 
rels  of  cider  last  year,  saved  about  ten  barrels  of  excellent  winter 
apples,  and  sold  as  many  as  30  bushels  of  fall  apples,  and  used 
a  number  of  bushels  in  the  family.  As  to  making  cider,  my 
rule  is  to  pick  the  apples  as  soon  as  I  think  them  worth  picking, 
and  make  them  up  into  cider;  and  as  soon  as  apples  are  ripe, 
shake,  and  pick  the  rest,  and  put  them  into  an  apartment  in  the 
mill,  so  that  they  will  not  heat,  and  keep  them  till  they  are 
mellow,  and  then  make  them  up,  and  see  that  the  mill  and  press 
are  clean  and  sweet.  I  grind  them  out  in  the  afternoon,  and 
let  them  lie  in  the  trough,  and  on  the  press,  till  the  next  morn- 
ing, then  press  the  cider  out,  put  it  into  clean  casks,  roll  it  into 
the  cellar,  place  it  where  it  is  to  stand,  knock  out  a  bung,  let 
it  work,  and  stop  it  again  as  soon  as  it  is  done. 

I  put  the  greater  part  into  two  hogsheads.  I  like  them  best, 
and  am  very  careful  to  keep  them  sweet.  My  rule  is,  as  soon 
as  the  cider  is  out  to  wash  them  clean,  and  dry  them,  and  put 
them  in  the  cellar ;  and  if  they  get  foul,  I  have  tried  to  cleanse 
them  by  setting  a  rag  dipped  in  brimstone  on  fire  and  putting 
it  into  the  barrel,  then  bung  it  up  and  sweeten  them  in  that  way  ; 


368  ON  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

but  the  better  way  is  to  throw  them  aside,  and  get  more.  I 
calculate  to  pick  all  my  apples  by  the  first  of  October. 

I  have  another  orchard  that  was  set  out  two  years  ago  last 
spring,  of  one  hundred  trees,  all  selected,  and  of  the  best  kinds 
of  fruit.  There  are  twenty-eight  kinds.  This  orchard  I  have 
nursed,  and  manured  highly,  and  it  looks  very  thrifty.  I  wash 
the  trees  with  soap  and  ley  mixed  in  equal  quantities,  in 
the  Spring,  which  I  think  is  far  superior  to  anything  else  [  have 
ever  used  or  heard  of.  As  to  my  house,  it  is  28  by  33  feet, 
two  stories  high,  with  a  kitchen  16  by  16  ;  a  cheese  room,  milk 
room,  and  buttery  running  out  back ;  with  a  well-room,  wood- 
house,  wagon-house,  farmer's  work-shop  33  by  16,  a  tool- 
house,  a  corn-barn,  chaise-house,  and  cider-mill  adjoining  the 
kitchen,  and  nearly  reaching  the  barn,  which  is  30  by  70,  with 
two  barn-floors.  I  can  tie  up  twenty  head  of  horn  cattle,  and 
put  up  four  horses.  There  is  a  shed  at  one  end,  12  by  60,  and 
a  barn-yard  adjoining  about  five  rods  square  (with  a  well  in  it) 
where  I  keep  my  oxen,  cows,  and  sheep,  not  letting  them  get 
loose  through  the  winter. 

I  have  another  barn,  already  mentioned,  where  I  keep  my 
hay  for  market,  which  is  30  by  40 ;  another  barn  20  by  30, 
which  I  fill,  barn  floor  and  all,  with  my  poorest  hay ;  a  shed 
adjoining,  60  by  12,  with  a  warm  yard  also  adjoining,  where  I 
keep  my  young  cattle,  and  let  them  go  to  a  spring  in  the  lot 
near  said  barn  to  drink.  This  yard  I  clean  out  in  the  spring, 
heaping  up  the  old  hay  and  manure,  as  soon  as  the  frost  is 
out,  and  at  planting  time  draw  it  out  and  manure  my  potatoes 
with  it,  there  being  about  20  loads.  My  other  yard,  where  I 
keep  my  other  stock,  I  clean  out  in  the  fall ;  then  fodder  my 
cattle  in  it  all  winter,  then  cart  my  green  manure  that  was 
thrown  out  of  the  barns,  and  spread  it  all  over  the  yard,  and 
then  cart  in  as  many  loads  of  loam  and  spread  it  over  the  ma- 
nure, to  keep  it  from  drying  up ;  then  yard  my  cattle  upon  it 
all  summer,  ploughing  and  mixing  it  occasionally  out  of  this 
yard.  I  carted  119  half-cord  loads  of  excellent  compost  last 
fall,  40  loads  of  which  I  put  on  my  corn  ground  for  spring. 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.         369 

The  other  79  loads  I  put  on  my  English  mowing,  and  spread 
it.  This  has  been  my  method  for  a  number  of  years  as  to 
manure. 

I  have  a  hog-pen  also,  walled  in  with  a  thick  tight  wall,  about 
three  rods  square,  the  north  corner  of  which  is  dug  into  a  side 
hill,  at  which  there  is  a  nest  covered  with  flat  stones ;  at  the 
south  corner  of  which  there  is  a  pair  of  bars  and  a  house  to 
feed  them.  The  north-east  and  north-west  sides  we  can  back 
a  load  up,  and  tip  it  over  the  wall  into  the  pen.  This  I  clean 
out  in  the  Spring.  Last  Spring  I  carted  out  60  half-cord  loads, 
which  I  spread  on  my  planting  land.  My  method  here  is,  as 
soon  as  I  clean  it,  to  cart  in  old  hay  and  straw,  then  loam  and 
green  manure,  and  add  to  it  in  the  summer  anything  that  will 
rot,  such  as  bulrushes,  brakes,  and  small  whortleberry  brush, 
which  grow  in  our  rocky  pastures,  and  are  regularly  cut  every 
other  year,  half  yearly,  and  with  weeds  which  we  throw  in 
when  at  leisure.  I  also  go  to  the  sea-shore,  which  is  14  miles, 
and  get  a  few  loads  of  sea- weed,  which  I  think  very  excellent  to 
mix  with  other  materials,  and  cart  some  mud  out  of  a  pond-hole 
in  the  woods,  which  is  a  mile  off.  I  keep  four  oxen  constantly, 
and  generally  a  pair  of  steers  to  work,  five  cows  constantly,  and 
about  thirty-five  head  of  young  stock.  I  have  always  calculated 
to  raise  my  own  stock,  and  raise  about  eight  or  ten  calves 
yearly,  and  keep  them  till  they  are  three  years  old.  1  have  cal- 
culated to  fat  and  sell  ^100  worth  of  beef  yearly.  I  keep  one 
horse  and  about  fifty  sheep  about  one  half  blooded  merinos. 
The  quantity  of  butter  and  cheese  I  can  tell  nothing  about, 
we  make  little  excepting  what  we  use  in  the  family. 

My  stock  is  the  native  breed,  except  seven  years  since  I  pur- 
chased a  very  fine  bull,  that  came  from  New  Hampshire,  said 
to  be  of  the  Beckworth  breed.  I  have  ever  since  kept  a  bull 
descended  fr  om  hira,  and  have  taken  a  premium  on  some  of 
them  at  the  Bristol  County  Society,  also  on  some  cows  of  the 
same  breed. 

As  to  my  hogs  (I  calculate  to  raise  my  own  pigs,)  they  gen- 


370  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

erally  weigh  about  300  lbs.  apiece,  and  are  usually  six  in  num- 
ber. 

As  to  labor  on  the  farm,  I  have  a  son  about  19  years  old,  and 
I  have  usually  one  hand  seven  months  in  a  year,  at  12  or  13 
dollars  per  month ;  also  a  boy,  and  a  number  of  hands  in  hay  time. 
This  year  I  hired  about  thirty  days  work,  at  thirty  dollars.  1  col- 
lected all  our  hay  into  barns  and  stacks  before  August.  We  work 
out  our  team  nearly  or  quite  enough  to  pay  our  help.  We  have 
not  used  any  ardent  spirits  for  three  years,  and  get  along  much 
better  than  formerly  when  we  did  use  it,  for  there  is  now  no 
grumbling,  as  there  was  then,  for  want  of  more.  We  use  cider, 
hop  beer,  sweetened  water,  and  milk  and  water.  I  generally 
hire  such  help  as  have  families,  and  want  all  their  pay  from  the 
farm. 

As  to  rotation  of  crops,  I  like  to  plant  potatoes  the  first  year, 
corn  the  second,  and  sow  down  the  third  year  with  spring  rye, 
as  early  as  the  ground  will  permit.  I  sow  nearly  a  bushel  to 
the  acre,  then  harrow,  and  roll  it  in  with  a  good  heavy  roller 

I  feed  my  stock  in  the  fall  with  corn  fodder,  and  good  hay 
till  cold  weather  comes,  then  with  my  poorest  hay  till  spring, 
then  with  better.  I  give  milch  cows  some  roots  in  the  winter, 
such  as  turnips  and  potatoes,  beginning  in  the  fall,  and  continu- 
ing them  through  the  winter,  lightly,  as  they  will  hold  out.  I 
never  have  any  roots  to  sell  except  to  hired  help,  although  we 
have  probably  some  years  raised  nearly  a  thousand  bushels. 

To  my  oxen  I  give  five  or  six  ears  of  corn  daily,  and 
when  I  work  them  hard,  a  little  meal. 

My  calves  that  I  intend  to  raise,  (which  must  be  entirely  red)  I 
have  sometimes  suffered  to  suck,  and  sometimes  I  have  fed 
them  with  new  milk,  till  they  were  weaned.  But  the  better  way 
on  the  whole,  in  my  opinion,  is  to  take  them  from  the  cow  at 
about  five  or  six  days  old,  and  give  them  new  milk  a  few  times, 
and  then  milk  porridge  once  a  day,  and  they  will  do  very  well 
without  new  milk  ;  in  a  few  weeks,  a  little  dry  meal  is  very 
excellent.  I  wean  them  usually  at  three  months  old.  I  usual- 
ly keep  six  hogs,  and  fat  them  principally  on  pumpkins  and  po- 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  371 

tatoes,  boiling  them  together, — I  have  a  kettle  that  will  hold  about 
three  bushels, — mixing  them  up  with  a  little  meal,  adding  more 
meal  from  time  to  time  till  they  are  fat,  I  frequently  give  them  a 
little  green  corn  on   the  cob,  for  a   change. 

As  to  fatting  cattle,  I  have  no  certain  rule  as  to  the  age,  but 
usually  fat  them  young.  I  seldom  keep  cattle  till  they  get  on  the 
decline.  Some  cattle  will  do  very  well  till  they  are  twelve 
years  old,  others  fail  younger,  I  usually  fat  them  with  grass  and 
green  stalks,  and  when  they  are  done  I  turn  them  off  as  quick 
as  possible. 

As  to  sheep,  I  have  taken  the  first  premium  at  the  show  in 
Bristol  County  a  number  of  times,  on  some  of  them.  I  let  them 
run  with  the  cattle  in  winter  ;  they  will  pick  out  a  good  deal  that 
cattle  will  not  eat.  I  give  them  a  yard  that  they  can  run  into 
away  from  the  cattle,  where  they  usually  lie.  I  also  have  a  rack 
in  that  yard,  made  on  purpose  for  them,  set  perpendicularly 
that  the  seed  may  not  get  into  their  wool.  I  feed  them  with 
English  hay.  1  have  for  some  years,  but  not  always,  given  them 
corn  and  turnips  through  the  winter.  I  think  they  never  did 
better  than  they  did  last  winter.  I  kept  them  as  usual  (but 
without  provender)  till  about  the  middle  of  Februarys  then  I 
fed  them  in  these  racks  with  fine  clover  hay, — and  after  they 
begin  to  lamb,  give  them  some  corn,  and  turnips,  as  long  as 
they  would  eat  hay.  I  let  them  out  of  the  yard  as  soon  as  the 
grass  starts  up  a  little  in  the  Spring.  I  think  they  do  best. 
I  generally  have  them  lamb  the  first  of  April,  when  I  can  keep 
my  neighbours'  rams  away  from  them.  I  wish  to  mention  one 
thing,  which  I  fear  you  will  think  a  pretty  large  story.  I 
have  a  four  years  old  ewe  sheep  (a  cade),  that  never  had  a 
lamb  ;  she  is  always  fat,  and  never  would  eat  any  provender  of 
any  kind,  and  always  goes  with  the  young  cattle,  and  lives  on 
the  poorest  hay  I  cut.  Last  Spring  I  sheared  11 J  lbs.  of  fine 
wool  from  her.  An  agent  of  a  large  woollen  establishment  saw 
her,  and  said  he  never  saw  any  thing  like  her  before  ;  but  this 
wool  was  two  years  old,  not  being  sheared  in  1830. 


372  ON  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

This  rough  draught  was  drawn  in  haste,  and  is  quite  imper- 
fect.    It  is  much  longer  than  I  expected,  when  I  began. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  humble  ser- 
vant, Peter   Thacher. 

P.  S. — If  I  have  any  thing  to  boast  in  farming,  I  must  ac- 
knowledge that  I  received  it  from  the  New  England  Farmer. 
I  began  with  the  second  volume,  and  have  since  read  it  very  at- 
tentively. 

Attleborough,  East,  September  2Sth,  1831. 

Bristol,  55.  September  28th,  1831. — Then  personally  ap- 
peared Peter  Thacher,  subscriber  to  the  foregoing  statement  of 
facts  and  description  of  his  farm,  and  the  management  of  the 
same,  and  made  oath  that  the  same  is  true. 

Noah  Claflin,  Justice  of  Peace. 


PiTTSFiELD,  September  29,  1831. 
[To  Benjamin  Guii-d,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
Society.] 

Sir — I  wish  to  offer  my  farm  for  premium.  It  lies  in 
the  east  part  of  the  town  of  Pittsfield,  upon  the  Boston  and  Al- 
bany stage  road,  containing  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  or 
thereabout.  The  soil  is  alluvial  and  loam  ;  forty  acres  of  it 
good  wood  land,  principally  covered  with  sugar  maple.  I  have 
also,  in  one  square  lot,  forty  acres  of  meadow,  almost  perfectly 
level,  and  overflowed  by  the  waters  of  the  Housatonic  river 
(by  which  it  is  bounded  on  the  east,)  in  the  spring  of  the  year 
when  the  snow  melts  away,  generally;  and  sometimes  twice 
or  thrice  in  a  year, — so  that  it  never  requires  any  manure,  and 
I  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  keep  up  my  fences  and  cut  the 
grass,  which  is  all  of  an  excellent  quality,  consisting  of  herds  or 
timothy,  clover  and  fine  English, — has  produced  this  year  one 
hundred  and  six  loads,  which  we  have  estimated  to  weigh  one 
ton  each,  as  we  get  it  in,  well  made.  This  lot  lies  upon  the 
east  side  of  the  road,  opposite  to  my  house  ;  and  the  residue 


ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS.  37S 

of  my  farm  upon  the  west  side  of  the  road,  pretty  nearly  in  a 
square  form,  a  little  elevated  above  the  meadow,  say  eight  or 
ten  feet,  and  rises  but  little  to  the  western  extreme  of  the  farm. 
I  have  an  orchard  lot,  consisting  of  about  eighteen  acres,  which 
I  mow,  and  which  has  produced  this  year  twenty-three  loads, 
which  we  have  estimated  at  one  ton  each,  of  excellent  hay  ; 
making  in  all  one  hundred  and  twenty  nine  loads. 

The  residue  of  my  farm  consists  of  pasturage  and  tillage, 
say  147  acres,  all  good,  which  I  have  improved  alternately  for 
pasturage  and  tillage  by  a  rotation  of  crops ;  first  for  wheat  or 
rye,  then  corn,  then  oats  or  other  spring  grain,  with  clover  and 
grass.  I  have  improved  it  the  present  season  as  follows ;  of 
winter  crops  20  acres,  called — but  if  accurately  measured  would 
fall  a  little  short  of  that  quantity ;  it  has  however  produced  4568 
sheaves,  900  of  which  we  have  threshed,  and  which  yielded  51^ 
bushels  of  first  quality  rye  ;  3  acres  of  winter  wheat,  which  pro- 
duced 911  sheaveSjof  which  we  have  not  threshed  any.  These 
two  crops  were  sown  upon  old  pasture  land,  summer  fallow- 
ed and  without  manure.  The  911  sheaves  of  wheat,  or  60 
shock  and  1 1  sheaves,  will  yield  by  fair  estimate  f  of  a  bushel 
to  the  shock,  which  will  amount  to  45j  bushels.  I  have  rais- 
ed 14  acres  of  oats  on  land  on  which  1  had  beans  last  year. 
After  putting  a  light  sprinkling  of  manure  of  20  loads,  the  14 
acres  produced  3080  sheaves,  of  which  I  have  threshed  550 
sheaves,  which  yielded  54  bushels — very  nearly  one  bushel  to 
10  sheaves.  I  have  also  raised  two  acres  of  spring  rye,  which 
produced  601  sheaves;  of  this  crop  I  have  not  threshed  any, 
but  it  is  a  good  one,  and  so  good  as  to  give  me  the  B.  A.  Society's  - 
first  premium.  1  had  oats  upon  the  land  last  year,  but  I  put  20 
loads  of  manure  upon  it.  I  sowed  two  acres  of  marrowfat  peas 
upon  land  upon  which  I  had  potatoes  last  year,  but  the  crop  failed 
almost  entirely,  and  I  got  but  twelve  bushels.  I  have  also 
raised  one  acre  of  buckwheat  where  I  had  beans,  put  six  loads 
manure  and  sowed  bne  bushel  of  seed,  which  produced  seven- 
teen bushels.  1  have  also  raised  two  acres  of  white  beans, 
which  is  a  very  good  crop,  but  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
7 


374  ON    THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

harvest.  The  time  you  have  fixed  on  for  making  application,  (1st 
Oct.)  is  a  little  too  early  for  my  convenience,  and  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  n)ake  n)y  statement  conjplete  in  all  respects.  For  instance, 
it  would  be  considerable  loss  to  me,  I  should  think,  to  thresh  out 
all  my  grain  thus  early,  particularly  oats,  as  the  straw  makes  tol- 
erable feed  in  winter — and  it  also  furnishes  employment  for 
my  man  who  lakes  care  of  the  sheep  and  barn.  Potatoes  I  have 
considered  among  the  fiist  and  most  valuable  crops  that  the 
farmer  raises;  1  have  therefore  made  several  experiments,  and 
by  far  too  many  for  my  interest;  yet  my  experience  may  be  use- 
ful to  others,  and  I  have  concluded  to  state  some  of  my  experi- 
ments, and  offer  some  few  remarks. 

Some  few  years  since,  believing  thatthe  quantity  usually  raised 
from  an  acre  miglit  be  increased  materially,  I  accordingly 
ploughed  one  acre  of  mellow  land,  dragged  it,  and  furrowed  it 
out  at  three  feet  apart,  and  filled  the  furrows  with  well  rotted 
manure.  I  then  sorted  out  the  largest  and  best  potatoes,  and 
planted  them  in  the  furrows  on  top  of  the  manure,  placing 
one  potato  every  six  or  eight  inches  apart ;  then  planted  in 
the  whole  forty-five  bushels ;  they  were  well  covered  and  hoed 
three  times,  and  at  digging  they  were  found  to  be  almost  all  of 
them  very  small,  not  larger  than  walnuts,  perhaps  not  as  many 
good  ones  of  good  size  as  I  planted.  This  I  charged  to  the 
season  as  being  unfavourable,  and  the  subject  passed  off.  Two 
year  since  I  set  out  twenty-four  cuttings  of  grapes,  in  my  gar- 
den, where  the  ground  was  rich,  being  well  manured,  by  stick- 
ing the  ground  end  into  a  small  potato,  about  the  size  of  a  hen's 
egg,  and  placing  that  in  the  ground  three  or  four  inches  deep  ; 
these  were  not  hoed, — the  grapes  all  died,  and  in  the  fall,  I  pulled 
and  dug  the  potatoes  somewhat  early  in  the  season  for  eating. 
The  quantity  and  large  size  excited  the  curiosity  and  astonish- 
ment of  us  all.  Last  year  I  planted  in  the  garden,  by  way  of  ex- 
periment, one  of  the  smallest  potatoes,  one  of  middling  size,  and 
one  of  the  largest,  in  separate  hills;  and  then  put  two  and  three 
and  four  in  hills,  where  the  land  was  equal — the  result  was,  that 
th*  siag;le  potatoes  produced  the  largest  and  much  the  best,  but 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.         375 

not  near  so  many  in  number  of  small  ?ize.     I  have  made  several 
other  experiments,  and  quite  enough.     Upon  examining  a  po- 
tato it  will  be  found  that  each,  whether  large  or  small,  has  from 
six  to  ten  eyes  or  sprouts  ;  and  if  it  be  fair  to  calculate  that  each 
sprout  will  produce  from  six  to  ten  potatoes,  each  potato  will 
yield  from  36  to  60  potatoes  ;  which  number  is  by  far  too  great 
to  be  congregated  in  the  circumference  of  a  hill ;  the  consequence 
is,  a  great  proportion  of  them   are  small,  and  if  more   seed  is 
planted,  the  greater  the  number  of  small  ones,  and  less  of  large. 
This  year  I  have  planted  about  three  acres,  and  upon  one  acre 
I  put  forty-four  loads  of  coarse  manure  from  my  sheep  yards, — 
the  cart  body  somewhat  heaped,  say  about  thirty  bushels  to  the 
load  ;  spread  it  over  the  land  and  ploughed  it  in  ;  then  dragged, 
then  furrowed  at  three  feet  apart  one  way  only,  and  dropped  the 
potatoes  without  sorting,  the  smallest  as  well  as  large,  at  about  2^ 
feet  apart,  and  covered,  and  hoed  them  twice.     I  planted  18^ 
bushils  seed.  On  the  next  §ihs  of  an  acre,  by  the  side  of  the  first, 
I  put  twenty-five  loads  of  manure,  ploughed  and  furrowed  as  be- 
fore, and  dropped  my  potatoes  single  at  three  feet  apart,  planted 
17  bushels  seed  and  lioed  twice.     The  third  acre  was  ploughed 
and  dragged  and  furrowed  as  before,  and  a  shovel  full  of  manure 
at  about  three  feet  put  in  each  hill,  in  all  twelve  loads,  and  hoed 
them  but  once,  the  same  sort  of  seed  in  all,  which  is  called  the 
Burr  potato,  of  iiesh  color,  and  excellent  for  table  use.     Tin 
result  is  as  follows, — the  first  acre  produced  425^  bushels,  the 
second  ^ihsof  an  acre  produced  250 J  bushels,  and  the  third  acre 
we  have   not  completed  the   digging  of,  owing  to  the  constant 
rains  for  the  week  pas'  ;  but  we  have  dug  a  part  of  them,  perhaps 
one  fourth  part,  and  in  such  a  way  and   places  as  to  ascertain 
with  a  good  degree  of  certainty,  that  this  acre  will  not  produce 
over  160  bushels. 

I  have  also  raised  one  acre  of  ruta  baga,  which  now  prom- 
ises a  large  crop.  They  are  not  sufficiently  grown  to  pull,  there- 
fore 1  cannot  ascertain  the  quantity.  The  land  was  well  fitted 
by  putting  20  loads  of  manure  upon  it,  before  ploughing,  then 
by  spreading  five  loads  of  leeched  ashes  and  one  load  of  un- 


376        ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

leeched.  I  have  strong  hopes  of  a  very  large  crop,  although 
I  do  not  consider  it  a  very  valuable  one.  1  have  also  raised 
four  acres  of  corn  upon  land  on  which  I  had  corn  last  year,  fit- 
ting it  by  putting  17  loads  of  manure  to  the  acre,  by  dunging  in 
the  hill.  The  four  acres,  which  I  have  measured  accurately,  as 
well  as  my  potato  lands,  have  produced  450  bushels  of  ears. 

I  have  ploughed  and  sowed  five  and  a  half  acres  of  winter 
rye,  or  thereabouts,  and  two  acres  of  winter  wheat  upon  the  land 
upon  which  I  have  raised  potatoes.  This  I  have  fitted,  and  in- 
tend to  sow  this  day. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  I  have  let  out  about  nine  acres  of 
land  to  be  sowed  to  oats,  on  shares,  or  for  one  half,  and  for 
which  I  have  received  1347  sheaves.  I  have  also  let  out 
about  4J  acres,  which  have  been  planted  to  corn,  in  the  same 
way,  or  for  one  half,  and  had  it  dunged  in  the  hill.  This  is  a  fine 
crop,  and  not  yet  harvested  ;  besides  about  Ij  acres  more  for 
buck  wheat  and  potatoes.  The  land  on  which  I  have  raised  my 
oats,  I  have  seeded  down  to  clover  and  grass  seed  principally. 

The  number  of  apple  trees  in  my  orchard  is  149,  and  I 
have  several  others  scattered  over  the  farm.  Seven  years  since 
1  put  in  1000  grafts  by  contract,  principally  of  winter  fruit, 
such  as  greenings,  spitzenbergs,  gilliflowers,  russets,  golden 
sweetings,  and  seek-no-furthers,  &,c.,  of  which  I  have  a  great 
abundance  this  year ;  but  owing  to  the  incessant  rains  for  a 
week  past,  I  have  not  been  able  to  gather  them.  I  shall  have 
probably  between  100  and  200  bushels.  I  have  cider  apples, 
and  a  great  supply  for  family  use,  enough  probably  to  make 
40  or  50  barrels,  which  I  do  not  usually  make  until  some  time  in 
October,  and  have  not  yet  done  it.  My  manner  of  making  cider 
is  the  common  one. 

As  to  sowing  grass  seed,  I  usually  seed  down  about 
ten  acres  annually  with  four  quarts  of  clover,  and  four 
quarts  of  herds  grass  to  the  acre,  which  T  consider  a  plen- 
ty for  mowing  land.  I  have  made  several  experiments.  After 
taking  off  a  corn  crop,  I  have  ploughed  and  sowed  nothing  but 
grass  seed  ;  this  was  done  in  the  month  of  October,  and  it 


ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS.  377 

took  well,  but  did  not  get  to  maturity  fully  the  next  season.  I 
have  also  sowed  with  rye  in  the  fall,  and  also  upon  snow  cov- 
ering wheat  and  rye,  and  also  in  the  spring  with  spring  wheat, 
rye  and  oats,  and  I  am  satisfied  that  to  sow  clover  and  herds 
grass  in  the  spring  with  oats,  is  the  best  time  and  way. 

My  barn  is  100  feet  long  and  40  feet  wide,  standing  east  and 
west,  with  a  floor  through  it  lengthwise,  over  which  is  another 
floor,  each  12  feet  wide.  Upon  the  south  side  of  my  barn  I 
have  a  tier  of  stables  extending  the  whole  length,  12  feet  wide, 
which  is  sufficient  to  put  up  25  head  of  cattle.  I  have  one 
shed  extending  from  the  west  end  of  my  barn  south  120  feet, 
half  of  it  20  feet  wide,  and  the  other  half  14  feet,  capable  of 
holding  30  or  40  loads  of  hay  over  head.  I  have  three  or  four 
other  temporary  sheds  of  less  value.  My  barn  yard  is  120 
feet  square,  divided  by  a  line  of  fence  through  the  centre  each 
way,  making  four  yards  of  about  sixty  feet  square,  with  a  shed 
for  each,  and  a  well  of  water  in  the  centre,  from  which  I  water 
each.  In  each  of  these  I  have  wintered  about  100  sheep,  and 
make  my  manure  principally  by  bedding  them  with  straw.  Of 
my  sheep,  I  have  now  about  the  same  number  as  last  year,  430, 
having  disposed  of  nearly  as  many  as  my  increase  by  lambs. 
I  sheared  350,  which  produced  851  lbs.  of  first  quality  wool, 
sold  for  75  cents  per  lb.  I  raised  only  84  lambs,  in  consequence 
of  a  severe  rain  storm  the  first  week  in  May,  which  is  the  time  I 
usually  have  them  yeaned.  I  lost  a  considerable  number.  I 
keep  them  in  separate  flocks,  and  feed  them  in  winter  out  of 
boxes  prepared  so  that  they  can  put  in  their  heads  on  either 
side,  and  not  waste  the  hay.  This  business  of  growing  wool 
was  my  principal  object  in  farming  ;  but  the  low  price  the  wool 
has  brought  for  three  or  four  years  past  has  almost  wholly  dis- 
couraged me.  I  have  been  disposed  to  reduce  my  flock  about 
one  half,  because  I  could  not  grow  the  wool  for  the  price  it  has 
brought.  This  year,  however,  it  has  brought  a  fair  compensation 
for  growing.  My  sheep  are  first  quality  merino  and  Saxony,  the 
fleeces  light.  I  have  kept  only  two  yoke  of  oxen,  three  cows, 
and  three  horses.     From  my  cows,  which  are  of  the  first  quality, 


378  ON  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARMS. 

we  have  made  butter  only  enough  for  family  use.  Of  swine, 
I  only  keep  and  fat  enough  for  family  use,  nnd  some  little  sur- 
plus to  pay  laborers.  1  am  now  feeding  six  of  the  Byfield  breed, 
which  I  intend  to  make  weigh  from  300  to  400  lbs.  each.  I 
have  one  that  will  now  weigh  more  than  four  hundred.  I 
make  ray  pork  by  boiling  potatoes  the  fore  part  of  the  season, 
then  pumpkins,  provender  and  corn. 

In  addition  to  my  crops,  I  shall  have  probably  thirty  bushels 
of  English  turnips.  I  have  a  large  garden,  in  which  I  put  out 
1000  cabbage  plants — have  raised  six  and  a  half  bushels  of  on- 
ions, a  great  supply  of  beets,  parsnips,  carrots,  winter  squash- 
es, besides  water-melons,  musk-melons,  cucumbers,  &;c.  I 
have  ten  peach  trees,  ten  pear  trees,  and  about  100  filbert 
bushes,  wiiich  have  all  borne  finely,  except  peaches,  with  which 
I  cannot  succeed  here  at  all.  As  to  amount  of  labor,  1  have 
had  but  one  hired  man  for  six  months,  to  whom  I  paid  ten 
dollars  per  month,  or  sixty  dollars.  I  have  two  boys,  almost 
men,  belonging  to  my  family,  besides  my  own  labor.  I  have 
paid  for  day  laborers,  according  to  my  account,  sixty-three  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents  only.  You  will  notice  the  amount  of  la- 
bor performed  with  little  help,  and  little  expense  ;  but  I  have  yet 
considerable  more  to  do, — I  have  yet  to  cut,  I  think,  more  than 
ten  loads  of  rowen  hay,  and  intend  to  sow  a  number  of  acres  of 
late  rye.  Having  made  no  cider  the  last  year,  I  made  trial  of 
molasses  and  water,  but  all  would  not  do,  I  was  obliged  to  fur- 
nish a  little  ardent  to  my  day  laborers  to  get  through  haying 
and  harvesting  ;  the  precise  quantity  I  do  not  know,  but  1  think 
it  would  not  amount  to  more  than  twelve  or  fifteen  dollars.  To 
recapitulate, — 

58  acres  of  meadow  mowed  and  produced  129  loads  hay. 
20    do.    of  rye  produced  4568  sheaves. 

3    do.  winter  wheat  do.  911     do. 

14    do.  oats  •  do.         3080     do. 

2    do.  spring  rye  do.  601     do. 

2    do.  marrowfat  peas  do.  12  bushels. 

1    do.  buck  wheat  do.  17     do. 


.     EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    SiC.  379 

2  do.  white  beans, 

3  do.  potatoes  do.  836  bushels. 

4  do.  com  do.  450     do. 

5  do.  ruta  baga  do.  500  by  estimate. 
15  acres  let  out  on  shares,  the  produce  )  1347  sheaves. 

not   yet  ascertained,  except  )      of  oats. 

The  residue  of  my  farm  is  wood  and  pasturage. 
In  this  statement  I  believe  I  have  not  overstated  or  over-ra- 
ted any  item  ;  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  my  corn,  which 
we  completed  last  evening,  if  accurately  measured  by  stricken 
measure,  would  hold  over  something  like  a  half  of  a  peck  to 
the  basket,  which  we  heaped. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  humble  servant, 

Jonathan  Allen. 

Berkshire,  ss.  Pitisfield,  Sept.  29,  1831. — Then  the  above 
named  Jonathan  Allen  personally  appeared,  and  made  oath  that 
the  foregoing  statement  by  him  subscribed,  is,  according  to  his 
best  belief  and  knowledge,  true. 

Joshua  Danforth,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


REPORT  OF   THE  COMMITTEE   ON  EXPERIMENTS,  DISCOV- 
ERIES AND  INVENTIONS— TREES,  LIVE  HEDGES,  &c. 

The  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting 
Agriculture,  to  whom  were  referred  claims  for  premiums  for 
experiments,  inventions,  and  discoveries,  as  also  for  plantations 
of  forest  trees  and  apple  trees,  and  other  descriptions  of  agri- 
cultural industry,  as  specified  in  their  list  of  premiums,  beg 
leave  to  report;  that  there  were  no  premiums  claimed  for  ex- 
periments in  turning  in  green  crops  as  manure,  nor  for  the  suc- 
cessful use  of  the  drill  plough,  in  the  cultivation  of  any  small 
grain  or  seeds;  but  there  were  two  claims  for  the  third  pre- 
mium offered  by  the  Society,  under  the  head  of  experiments, 
inventions  and  discoveries  ;  viz.  For  an  effectual  and  satisfac- 


380  EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    &.C. 

tory  mode  of  destroying  the  bee-moth,  or  of  preventing  its 
ravages.  It  will  be  obvious  that  the  two  branches  of  this  sub- 
ject are  essentially  distinct.  To  destroy  the  moth  by  any  ar- 
tificial process,  is  radically  and  substantially  different  from 
preventing  its  ravages,  or  its  access  to  the  hive.  Both  would 
be  equally  useful,  if  the  end  should  be  obtained,  which  is  pro- 
tection ;  but  it  is  obvious  that  the  means  may  be,  and  (we  may 
almost  say)  would  be  essentially  different. 

The  first  communication  received  on  this  interesting  but 
difficult  subject  by  the  Committee,  was  from  the  venerable 
Dr.  James  Thacher,  of  Plymouth.  This  paper  was  worthy  of  ' 
the  good  sense  and  well  known  research  of  the  author,  and 
did  not  in  any  degree  diminish  the  respect  which  the  Com- 
mittee felt  for  this  veteran  promoter  of  all  the  arts  subservient 
to  the  cause  of  agriculture.  In  examining  it,  however,  with 
the  care  and  exactness  which  their  commission  required,  they 
could  not  perceive  that  it  fulfilled  the  conditions,  on  which 
alone  their  authority  reposed,  to  wit,  "  an  effectual  and  satis- 
factory mode  of  destroying  the  bee-moth,  or  of  preventing  its 
ravages. 

The  Committee  might  rest  here,  and  rely  upon  the  convic- 
tion, that  they  had  exercised  their  judgment  with  due  discre- 
tion ;  but  they  owe  it  to  Dr.  Thacher,  and  to  the  public,  to 
st^te  the  grounds  on  which  their  opinion  was  founded.  As  to 
the  first  branch,  Dr.  Thacher  seems  distinctly  to  admit,  that  he 
knows  of  no  "  effectual  and  satisfactory  "  mode  of  destroying 
the  bee-moth,  and  seems  toconsider  it  as  a  desideratum  not  yet 
obtained.  He  does  indeed  suggest  the  idea  of  destroying  the 
bee-moth  by  solutions  of  sugar  with  poison;  but,  besides  that  the 
same  remedy  may  be  equally  fatal  to  the  bees,  it  must  be  in 
its  nature  imperfect. 

We  have  no  evidence  that  the  bee-moth  has  so  strong  a  de- 
sire of  food,  as  to  counteract  the  more  powerful  influence  of 
its  instinct,  to  place  its  eggs  in  places  adapted  to  its  future 
progeny.  In  short,  though  it  is  the  suggestion  of  an  ingenious 
mind,  employed  in  speculations  for  the  public  good,  yet  as  to 


TREES,    LIVE    HEDGES,    k,C.  381 

its  "  effectual  and  satisfactory  operation,"  there  is  too  little  evi- 
dence offered. — Upon  the  second  branch  of  the  premium,  that 
of  prevention,  Dr.  Thacher  proposes  an  inclosed  apairy. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  an  enclosed  apiary  forms  some  check  to 
the  ravages  of  the  insect.  But  then  it  should  be  considered, 
that  apiaries  thus  inclosed  have  been  in  operation  for  thirty 
years  past,  and  have  proved  neither  "  effectual  or  satisfactory." 

Dr.  Thacher  indeed  alludes  to  a  grating  placed  before  the 
hives  at  night,  but  gives  no  definite  mode  of  applying  it.  This 
remedy  is  much  more  fully  developed  in  the  next  communica- 
tion. Though  we  are  compelled  to  say  that  Dr.  Thacher  has 
not  afforded  an  "  effectual  and  satisfactory "  mode  of  pre- 
venting the  ravages  of  the  bee-moth,  yet  for  his  continued  la- 
bors and  research  on  this  interesting  subject,  the  Committee 
recommend  to  the  Trustees  that  a  gratuity  of  ten  dollars  be  paid 
to  him. 

The  only  other  communication  on  this  subject,  is  from  the 
Rev.  J.  R.  Barbour,  of  Newbury,  (Byfield.) 

This  communication  is  very  elaborate,  interesting  and  impor- 
tant, shewing  great  perseverance,  accuracy,  and  uncommon 
practical  observation,  as  well  as  mechanical  contrivance.  It 
would  be  impossible  for  the  Committee  to  do  any  thing  like  jus- 
tice to  the  plans  and  suggestions  of  Mr.  Barbour,  in  any  abstract 
which  they  could  make,  and  they  would  therefore  recommend 
that  the  whole  communication  from  him,  together  with  the  let- 
ter of  Mr.  Parsons  which  accompanied  it,  should  be  published 
in  the  Journal  and  New-England  Farmer.  This  great  advan- 
tage would  be  derived  from  it,  that  if  the  Committee  have  erred 
in  their  opinion  as  to  its  title  to  the  premium  offered  by  the  So- 
ciety, ingenious  persons  may  be  induced  to  try  his  plans,  and 
experience  may  show  that  the  difficulties  which  present  them- 
selves to  the  Committee  are  not  well  founded. — Mr.  Barbour's 
communications  have  reference  to  two  distinct  points. 

The  first,  to  the  prevention  of  the  ravages  of  the  bee-moth 
— the  second,  to  the  more  easy  and  effectual  acquisition  of  the 
kbors  of  the  bee,  without  their  entire  extermination.     As  no 


38^  EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    INVENTIONS, 

premium  has  been  offered  for  this,  the  most  interesting  part  of 
Mr.  Barbour's  discoveries,  we  might  pass  it  over  in  silence  ;  but 
such  a  course  would  not  suit  either  our  feelings,  nor  comport 
with  our  duties.  We  feel  ourselves  then  bound  to  say,  that  Mr. 
Barbour's  suggestions  and  plans  appear  to  us  to  be  very  ingenious 
and  important,  and  we  recommend  them  to  the  attention  of 
those  who  cultivate  bees, — and  as  a  proof  of  our  estimate  of 
iheir  ingenuity,  we  recommend  to  the  Society,  to  pay  to  Mr. 
Barbour  ten  dollars,  being  the  half  of  all  the  premiums  offered 
on  this  subject,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  permit  his  appara- 
tus, transmitted  to  us,  to  be  exhibited  in  the  Agricultural  Repos- 
itory in  Boston,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Newell.  The 
other  branch  of  Mr.  Barbour's  inventions,  or  claims,  respects 
the  prevention  of  the  entrance  of  the  bee-moth  into  the  hives, 
by  a  screen  of  millinet,  to  be  put  up  every  evening,  and  to  be 
removed  every  morning.  Such  a  remedy  would  appear  per- 
fect.— Why  then  not  grant  the  Society's  premium  ?  We  reply 
in  few  words.  First,  because  Mr.  Barbour  has  the  candour  to 
admit,  that  the  suggestion  came  to  him  from  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Noyes,  of  Needham.  We  are  not  told  how  far  this  suggestion 
went,  but  we  are  led  to  believe  that  Mr.  Noyes  was  the  invent- 
or. Secondly,  because  we  seriously  doubt,  whether  a  remedy, 
which  requires  attention  twice  a  day,  is  fitted  for  common  use. 
Yet  as  the  first  suggestion  of  a  mode,  said  to  be  effectual,  if 
men  will  be  scrupulous  in  its  application,  came  first  before  the 
public  through  Mr.  Barbour,  we  recommend  the  grant  of  a  gratu- 
ity to  him  of  ten  dollars.  But  in  this  gratuity,  justly  due  to  an 
ingenious  man,  who  has  devoted  his  time  and  learning  to  a  sub- 
ject very  interesting  to  the  cause  of  agriculture,  we  are  con- 
strained to  say,  that  it  is  not  certain  at  what  hour  the  bee-mil- 
ler takes  its  flight.  An  omission  of  one  half  hour  may  be  fa- 
tal. If,  as  is  assiM'ted,  and  as  is  probable  from  analogy,  a  sin- 
gle miller  lays  500  eggs,  it  may  prove  as  fatal  to  a  hive,  as  if 
there  was  a  free  intercourse. 

We  admit  that  these  precautions,  sedulously  and  scrupulous- 
ly followed,  might  be  effectual.    But  it  should  not  be  for  one 


! 


TREES,    LIVE    HEDGES,    &e.  383 

moment  admitted,  that  as  a  genera],  or  universal  practice,   it 
would  be  available. 

The  next  application  which  has  been  made  for  a  premium, 
is  for  an  effectual  and  satisfactory  mode  of  extirpating  the 
worm  which  attacks  the  locust  tree.  The  only  applicant  for 
this  premium  is  William  Bacon,  Esq.  of  Richmond,  Berkshire 
county.  The  experiments  of  Mr.  Bacon  are  exceedingly  in- 
teresting, and  we  hope  that  others  influenced  by  his  example 
will  pursue  the  same  course.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
cautious  stoppage  of  all  the  apertures,  by  which  the  locust  bo- 
rer either  enters  or  makes  his  exit,  would  materially  lessen  its 
depredations ;  but  our  objections  to  granting  a  premium  for  this 
discovery  are,  first,  that  he  had  disclosed  his  discovery  (if 
it  be  one)  to  the  public  in  the  New-England  Farmer,  vol.  ix. 
No.  3  ;  and  it  was  not  the  purpose  of  the  society  to  grant  pre- 
miums to  persons  who,  from  enlightened  and  liberal  views,  had 
already  disclosed  their  discoveries. 

Secondly,  they  can  perceive  little  distinction,  between  Mr. 
Bacon's  experiments,  and  those  of  General  Dearborn,  long 
since  given  to  the  public  on  the  same  subject.  Lastly,  exten- 
sive experiments  by  some  members  of  the  Committee  have 
satisfied  them,  that  no  local  application  to  the  root  or  the  stems, 
or  lower  branches,  can  be,  in  any  important  degree,  a  protec- 
tion against  the  borer  of  the  locust-tree,  which  chooses  in 
preference  the  young  branches  of  the  present  year's  growth. 

The  Committee  feel  the  great  importance  of  procuring  a 
remedy  for  this  deplorable  evil,  whicli  deprives  the  State 
of  the  most  valuable  of  its  forest  trees,  so  important  in  naval 
architecture.  Scarce  any  sum  would  be  too  great  an  expendi- 
ture, which  would  banish  this  destructive  insect,  as  our  climate 
is  as  favourable  to  the  culture  of  the  locust  tree  as  that  of  the 
Middle  or  Southern  States ;  but  a  knowledge  of  the  ravages  of 
the  insect,  brings  them  to  the  conclusion  that  the  remedy  pro- 
posed by  Mr.  Bacon,  is  not  so  effectual  or  satisfactory  as  to 
justify  them  in  awarding  to  him  tlie  Society's  premium,  though 


584  EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    INVENTIONS, 

he  merits  their  thanks  for  his  experiments,  and  the  laudable 
spirit  which  gave  rise  to  them. 

The  only  regular,  and  certainly  the  most  meritorious  applica- 
tion for  premium,  "  on  the  best  managed  apple  orchard,"  vsras 
Captain  John  Mackay's,  whose  mode  of  treatment  is  set  forth 
in  the  subjoined  communication. 

His  orchard  in  Weston,  was  visited,  and  carefully  inspected. 
It  is  on  a  side  hill,  with  a  gradual  descent  inclining  to  the  north. 

The  soil  is  a  heavy  dark  loam,  originally  very  rocky.  The 
trees  (about  one  hundred  and  forty  in  number)  cover  about 
three  acres  of  ground.  Their  distance  from  each  other  is  two 
rods.  The  trees,  it  appears,  were  set  out  partly  in  the  spring 
of  1823,  and  partly  in  the  spring  of  1824;  the  ground,  having 
been  previously  ploughed,  was  kept  up  till  1827'.  Since  then, 
they  have  been  hoed  round  twice  a  year.  Their  appearance 
was  certainly  very  thrifty,  with  a  smooth  bark,  and  every  indi- 
cation of  careful  attention.  Their  measurement  was  generally 
from  twelve  to  fourteen  inches. 

In  noticing  Mr.  Mackay's  method,  it  cannot  be  doubted, 
that  a  slight  movement  of  the  surface,  oftener  than  he 
practised,  would  be  expedient,  even  four  or  five  times  a  year, 
as  having  a  tendency  to  discourage  weeds,  and  the  encroach- 
ment of  the  grass  sward,  as  well  as  to  facilitate  the  passage  of 
the  dews  and  showers  to  the  roots ;  whilst  the  aggregate  la- 
bor would  be  little  increased  thereby. 

That  this  should  not  have  forced  itself  into  observation,  can 
only  be  accounted  for,  by  the  fact,  that  in  the  use  of  ashes,  the 
invariable  production  of  weeds,  consequent  on  the  application 
of  barn  manure,  was  avoided.  It  may  be  doubted  also,  wheth- 
er the  stimulating  principle  in  the  wood  ashes,  to  the  extent  of 
one  peck  to  a  tree,  every  other  year,  was  the  best  course  of 
procedure.  The  process  of  vegetation  is  gradual,  but  constant 
and  never  ceasing.  The  means  of  fertile  growth,  therefore, 
should  be  in  reference  to  this  order  of  nature.  An  annual 
dressing  seems  most  fitly  to  conduce  to  the  mixture  and  en- 
richment of  soil,  the  process  of  fermentation,  and  the  best  sup- 


TREES,    LIVE    HEDGES,    &C.  385 

ply  for  vegetable  growth.  It  would  therefore  follow,  that  a  sup- 
ply of  a  less  quantity,  annually  afforded,  would  be  better,  and 
safer,  as  the  danger  of  sudden  excess,  often  injurious,  would  be 
avoided.  To  what  extent  ashes,  or  other  stimulating  princi- 
ples, may  be  applied,  can  only  be  determined  by  careful  ex- 
periment :  that  the  former  has  been  recommended,  and  used 
to  advantage  of  late,  by  many  cultivators,  is  well  known.  Ma- 
ny too  suppose,  that  the  volatility  and  pungency  of  their  salts 
are  offensive  and  discouraging  to  the  approach  of  the  borer, 
and  all  insects,  vermin,  &,c. 

The  general  result,  from  personal  examination  made  by  the 
Committees  on  premiums  for  the  best  managed  apple  orchards 
in  this  vicinity,  for  several  years  past,  have  most  satisfacto- 
rily evinced,  how  invariably,  in  eight  or  ten  years,  an  orchard 
may,  with  proper  attention,  be  brought  forward  from  the  seed 
into  good  bearing.  The  practices,  in  which  these  skilful  culti- 
vators appear  to  concur,  may  be  briefly  stated.  First,  to  be 
careful  not  to  set  the  tree  beneath  the  upper  stratum  of  earth 
or  black  soil.  To  go  deeper  is  to  insure  the  canker  and  a  dis- 
eased condition.  In  a  light  soil,  a  burrow  or  two  of  stones, 
beneath  the  upper  stratum,  prevents  the  passage  of  the  roots 
into  a  poorer  soil,  whilst  it  supplies  moisture,  when  most  need- 
ed ;  and  artificially,  in  part  at  least,  affords  that  advantage  for 
which  a  rocky  soil  is  invariably  distinguished.  Secondly,  to 
have  the  land  previously  ploughed,  and  kept  up  for  two  or  three 
years,  taking  care  not  to  disturb  the  roots.  After  this,  the 
land  may  be  laid  down  to  grass,  and  the  surface  near  the  trees 
occasionally  slightly  stirred,  to  prevent  weeds,  and  give  a  more 
ready  passage  of  air  and  water  about  the  root.  Thirdly,  about 
eight  shovels  of  compost  manure,  or  five  or  six  quarts  of 
ashes,  may  be  put  to  advantage  at  the  root,  and  spread 
about   in   the  Spring. 

To  keep  an  orchard  in  a  good  bearing  state,  when  it  is  deem- 
ed inexpedient  to  plough  from  a  fear  of  injury  to  the  roots, 
the  land  should  be  kept  in  good  condition  from  frequent  top 
dressing. 


386  EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    INVENTIONS,  ScC. 

As  to  the  applications  to  the  body  of  the  tree  for  a  defence 
against  vermin,  &;c.,  the  subject  is  in  a  course  of  experiment. 

The  rubbing  with  a  coarse  cioth  with  soap  and  sand,  and  a 
wash  with  waste  soap  suds,  appears  both  beneficial  and  eco- 
nomical. 

A  wash  also  has  been  in  use  by  many,  and  it  is  highly  re- 
commended by  the  Messrs.  Winships,  "  as  preventing  the  de- 
structive effects  of  the  borer,  killing  the  moss,  and  destroying 
other  insects  which  injure  the  health  of  the  tree,  and  giving  vigor 
thereto.  We  recommend,  say  they,  one  pound  of  potash  to 
three  quarts  of  water,  to  be  laid  on  with  a  brush.* 

A  coat  of  lime  and  cow-manure  was  used  by  Mr.  Mackay, 
mixed  with  clay,  one  third  each,  brought  to  the  consistency  of  a 
suitable  wash  to  be  applied  with  a  brush.  This  is  in  frequent 
practice,  and  has  been  thought  well  of,  as  discouraging  to  in- 
sects. It  may  be  a  proper  consideration,  whether  in  the  use  of 
materials  on  the  bodies  of  trees,  in  washes,  there  has  not  been 
some  excess  ? — Can  the  color  of  the  bark  be  so  unnaturally 
changed  to  a  yellow  hue,  without  injury  ?  Or  is  the  effect  so 
superficial  as  not  to  deserve  regard  ? 

Although  the  Committee  do  not  feel  authorised  upon  the  prin- 
ciples which  guide  the  Society,  to  recommend  that  a  premium 
be  awarded  for  this  brief  communication,  they  yet,  for  the 
presentation  of  this  important  subject  to  notice,  with  the  degree 
of  care  and  skill  evidenced  by  the  thriving  condition  of  his 
orchard,  recommend  that  a  gratuity  be  paid  to  Captain  John 
Mackay,  of  twenty  dollars. 

In  the  visits  made  to  several  successful  and  highly  skilful  cul- 
tivators of  the  apple  orchard, f  it  was  lamentable  to  observe  that 
in  most  situations  the  borer  had  made  his  deadly  visits.  As  a 
preventive,  lime  at  the  root  has  been  recommended. 

*  See  Mr.  Wheeler's  communication  in  the  New-England  Farmer, 
vol.  iv.  page  343;  also  Messrs.  Winships",  vol.  viii.  page  234. 

t  The  orchards  of  C.  Davis,  Esq.  Ro.xbury  ;  A.  Baldwin,  Esq.  Milton;  Col. 

Phinney,  Lexington;  Mr.  Harding,  Waltham,  and  Mr.  Crosby,  of , 

all  of  which  indicated  most  skilful  management. 


ON    THE    BEE-MOTH.  387 

But  the  insect  goes  higher  up.  Some  of  our  Trustees  have 
•cased  about  the  stem  some  way  up  with  lime  mortar ;  but  here 
the  same  objection  applies,  and  nothing  short  of  a  complete  en- 
velopement  of  the  trunk  would  seem  to  be  wholly  effectual. 

In  closing  their  report,  the  Committee  are  aware  of  the  mo- 
tives which  induced  the  Society  to  lessen  the  frequency  of  Cattle 
Shows,  with  a  view  of  applying  the  funds  to  certain  objects  in 
agriculture,  which  recent  discoveries  in  science  and  the  arts  have 
made  interesting. 

It  is  with  regret,  therefore,  that  they  are  obliged  to  state  that 
notwithstanding  the  offer  of  the  whole  income  of  the  funds  of 
the  Society,  as  well  as  what  arises  from  the  liberality  of  the  State, 
they  are  not  able  to  present  to  the  public  more  multiplied  ex- 
periments on  the  various  subjects  submitted  to  them. 

The  ploughing  in  of  green  crops  is  important,  and  occupies 
much  attention  abroad. 

The  subject  of  live  hedges  must  in  many  p?.rts  of  the  country 
become  prospectively  important,  so  also  the  ingenuity  of  our 
manufacturers  might  present  many  improved  implements  of  ag- 
riculture. To  all  of  which  subjects  attention  was  invited,  and 
liberal  premiums  offered. 

The  novelty  of  the  mode  may  perhaps  in  some  degree  ac- 
count for  this,  and  the  Committee  can  only  hope  that  our  intel- 
ligent husbandmen  may  more  readily  show  forth  their  good 
practices,  for  which  it  is  well  known  many  of  them  are  so  dis- 
tinguished. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Boston,  Jan.  14,  1832.  John  Welles,  Chairman. 


BEE-MOTH. 

The  best  method  cf  destroying  the  Bee-moth^  or  preventing  its  ravages 
among  Bees. 

The  whole  tribe  of  moths  and  butterflies  propagate  their 
species  by  eggs,  which  the  females  deposit  in  situations  and  sub- 
stances, in  which  the  offspring  caterpillar  may  find  its  appropri- 


388  ON    THE    BEE-MOTH. 

ate  food  the  moment  it  is  disclosed.  The  female  moth  is  en- 
dowed by  the  all-wise  Author  of  its  existence,  with  a  most 
wonderful  sagacity  and  skill,  in  anticipating  the  wants  of  the 
young  grubs,  when  they  escape  from  the  eggs,  and  have  no 
mother  to  direct  or  provide  for  them.  The  numerous  species 
of  moths  and  butterflies  seldom  live  more  than  a  few  days  after 
depositing  their  eggs  for  a  future  progeny.  The  period  at 
which  the  eggs  are  hatched  after  deposition,  depends  much  on 
the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  ;  by  exposure  to  the  cold 
of  an  ice-house  in  summer,  the  hatching  may  be  retarded,  as 
it  may  be  hastened  by  a  heated  atmosphere  in  winter  or  Spring. 
In  general,  the  eggs  of  moths  remain  locked  up  during  winter, 
in  the  secure  spot  which  the  mother  insect  had  selected,  and 
are  hatched  into  grubs  or  worms  by  the  genial  heat  of  Spring. 

The  silkworm  moth,  when  unrestrained  in  its  natural  habits, 
deposits  its  eggs  on  the  leaves  of  trees,  and  carefully  glues 
them  to  the  leaves,  that  they  may  not  be  shaken  off  by  the  wind 
or  washed  away  by  rains  ;  and  the  larva,  as  soon  as  disclosed, 
finds  its  nutriment  in  the  leaf  by  which  it  is  sustained.  The 
moth  that  produces  the  caterpillar  (Phalana  JYeustria)^  and 
that  which  produces  the  canker  worm  [Phcelana  Vernata 
Peckii),  attach  their  eggs  to  the  branches  of  fruit  trees,  that  the 
ensuing  vernal  heat  may  bring  the  young  brood  into  existence, 
where  they  find  their  food  in  the  buds  and  leaves  just  expand- 
ing. The  moth,  from  which  comes  the  worm  called  the  borer, 
and  the  insect  from  which  proceeds  the  peach  tree  worm,  de- 
posit their  eggs  on  the  bark  of  trees,  that  the  larva  may  pene- 
trate into  its  substance  for  support.  The  mischievous  curcu- 
lio  stings  the  young  fruit,  and  deposits  its  eggs  where  the  young 
maggot  will  find  its  nutriment,  and  at  the  same  time  its  vehicle 
to  convey  it  to  the  earth  for  a  more  permanent  residence. 
The  diminuUve  moth,  whose  progeny  preys  upon  woollen  cloth, 
selects  that  article  as  a  nidus  for  her  eggs.  To  these  instances 
numerous  others  might  be  added. 

The  true  bee-moth,  according  to  Dr.  T.  M.  Harris,  the 
Phalana  Tinae  Cereanea  of  Linnaeus,  is  a  native  of  Europe, 


ON    THE    BEE-MOTH.  389 

but  has  been  introduced  and  naturalized  in  our  country.  This 
insect  makes  its  appearance  in  April  or  May,  according  to  the 
warmth  of  the  season,  and  continues  its  depredations  among 
bees  till  October.  It  appears  in  the  form  of  a  small  miller  or 
nocturnal  butterfly,  the  same  that  we  see  fluttering  about  our 
lights  in  a  summer's  evening.  It  is  smaller  than  a  bee,  of  a 
greyish  colour,  paler  towards  the  head,  glossy  brown  or  pur- 
plish near  the  outer  margin  of  the  wings.  They  have  four 
wings,  but  seldom  soar  high  in  the  air ;  they  are  frequently 
seen  attached  to  some  substance,  apparently  motionless,  but  on 
the  approach  of  danger  they  instantly  leap  off  with  great  rapid- 
ity. These  pernicious  insects  discover  a  peculiar  disposition  to 
molest  bees,  and  propagate  their  species  in  bee-hives.  They 
He  concealed  in  the  grass  during  the  day,  and  effect  their  mis- 
chievous purpose  in  the  night ;  when,  by  the  aid  of  a  light,  they 
may  be  seen  in  great  numbers,  hovering  about  the  apiary,  to 
which  they  are  allured  by  the  sweet  odor  from  the  hives.  The 
female  moth  makes  every  effort  to  deposit  her  eggs  within  the 
hive,  but  failing  to  find  admittance  she  lays  them  about  the  low- 
er edges  and  crevices  as  near  the  entrance  as  she  can,  and  it 
sometimes  happens,  probably,  that  they  are  carried  into  the 
hive  by  the  legs  of  the  bees.  The  eggs  are,  according  to  the 
course  of  nature,  hatched  into  caterpillars  or  worms,  having  six- 
teen feet  and  a  reddish  head.  These  creatures  soon  wend 
their  way  into  the  hive,  and  not  unfrequently  they  have  been 
known  with  their  strong  jaws  to  cut  a  channel  of  their  own  size 
through  the  substance  of  an  inch  board,  to  obtain  admittance. 
These  worms,  when  arrived  at  maturity,  construct  an  oblong 
oval  pod  or  cocoon,  in  which  they  envelop  themselves.  In  this 
situation  they  continue  to  enlarge  and  extend  their  covering, 
leaving  an  opening  for  the  head  ;  and  while  in  their  armor,  thus 
formed,  they  are  perfectly  secure  from  any  annoyance  from 
the  bees.  They  feed  on  the  wax  and  comb,  devouring  and 
gnawing  down  the  cells  which  contain  the  eggs  and  the  young 
bees,  until  they  are  wholly  destroyed.  At  length  the  caterpil- 
lars are  changed  into  a  chrysalis  state,  their  bodies  are  con- 
9 


390  ON    THE    BEE-MOTH. 

tracted  within  their  cocoon,  they  cease  to  feed,  and  in  due  time 
are  transformed  into  a  winged  insect,  the  true  bee-moth. 
Here  the  insects  continue  to  increase  in  numhers,  till  the 
whole  order  and  economy  in  the  domicil  is  interrupted  ;  and 
the  bees  being  overpowered,  either  die,  or  in  despair  quit  their 
hive  to  the  enemy,  the  first  or  second  year  of  their  attack. 
The  moths  disclosed  from  the  cocoons  seek  an  exit  from  the 
hive,  when  they  couple,  and  the  females  having  deposited  their 
eggs  in  a  suitable  nidus,  soon  perish,  leaving  in  the  hive  in 
autumn  a  numerous  progeny  to  be  transformed  into  their  perfect 
state  in  the  ensuing  spring.  The  moths  thus  transformed  pursue 
the  same  train  of  actions  to  propagate  the  species,  whichhad  been 
pursued  by  the  parent  insects  of  the  preceding  year,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  two  or  more  generations  are  reared  in  succes- 
sion the  same  season.  These  destructive  insects  are  more 
prevalent  in  some  local  situations  than  in  others  ;  in  some  places 
the  stock  of  bees  is  entirely  annihilated,  and  all  attempts  to  culti- 
vate them  are  abandoned.  The  female  moth  is  remarkably  fertile, 
laying  400  or  500  eggs  in  a  season.  The  precise  lime  when  the 
female  deposits  her  eggs,  and  the  time  required  for  their  hatching, 
has  hitherto  eluded  my  research,  buti  have  known  moths  to  ap- 
pear early  in  April,  and  at  one  time  have  seen  a  worm  thrust 
out  of  a  hive  by  tl^bees  in  the  month  of  March.  The  process 
both  of  hatching  and  transformation,  is  promoted  by  the  heat 
within  the  hive.  There  is  always  in  the  hive  with  the  moths 
and  grubs  a  quantity  of  web  resembling  that  of  the  spider,  the 
use  of  which,  as  I  conceive,  is  to  entangle  the  eggs,  to  prevent 
them  from  being  spread  abroad  and  lost,  and  to  serve  as  a  sort 
of  cradle  for  the  young  grubs.  About  the  middle  of  May  1828, 
I  perceived  on  the  floor-board  of  a  hive,  a  mass  of  web  in  which 
were  numerous  grubs,  from  the  size  of  needles'  points  to  that  of 
half  an  inch  in  length.  When  this  web  is  observed  in  or  about 
a  hive,  it  may  be  certainly  known  that  the  hive  is  infested  with 
the  insects.  I  enclosed  a  number  of  the  full-grown  caterpillars 
in  a  box  for  experiment.  They  immediately  spun  their  co- 
coons, in  which  they  enveloped  themselves,  and  in  this  chrysa- 


ON    THE    BEE-MOTH.  391 

lis  state  they  remained  till  July  and  August,  when  they  made 
an  aperture  with  their  head,  through  which  they  escaped,  and, 
expanding  their  wings,  launched  into  the  air.  Thus  the  disgust- 
ing caterpillar,  which  so  lately  crept  on  sixteen  feet,  now  is  seen 
to  fly  with  that  gracefulness  and  ease  peculiar  to  the  butterfly, 
one  of  the  most  elegant  and  active  of  the  winged  insects. 
Here  we  may  recognize  the  Deity  in  his  wonderful  works  ! 

In  October,  1830,  I  took  from  a  bee-hive  which  I  purchased, 
about  twenty  cocoons  containing  chrysalis,  put  them  into  a  box 
glazed  on  one  side,  and  kept  them  in  a  moderate  temperature 
through  the  winter.  In  the  months  of  July  and  August  they 
were  transformed  into  winged  moths,  a  part  of  which  were 
double  the  size  of  others,  probably  designative  of  the  different 
sexes  ;  but  I  was  surprised  to  observe  one  among  them  a 
beautiful  snow  white  miller.*  I  put  a  quantity  of  honey-comb 
in  the  box,  with  the  hope  of  procuring  a  nursery,  that  1  might 
be  able  to  discover  their  habits  and  mode  of  propagation  ;  but 
they  survived  but  a  few  days. 

Methods  by  which  the  Bee-moth  may  be  destroyed. 
The  extermination  of  this  destructive  species  of  insects  is 
absolutely  impracticable,  by  any  means  that  art  can  devise  ;  but 
their  number  may  be  considerably  diminished  in  any  local  situ- 
ation, and  their  ravages  among  apiaries  may  be  entirely  prevent- 
ed. Bottles,  with  a  litde  honey  or  syrup  at  the  bottom,  placed 
near  the  hives,  will  entrap  multitudes.  If  open  shallow  vessels, 
containing  a  mixture  of  sweetened  water,  to  a  pint  of  which  a 
gill  of  vinegar  be  added,  are  placed  within  their  range,  they  will 
be  enticed  to  sip  the  liquor,  by  which  they  will  become  intoxica- 
ted and  drowned  by  hundreds.  They  should  be  burnt  the 
next  morning,  lest  by  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  air  they  become 
resuscitated.  If  lights  were  placed  near  the  hives,  a  still  greater 
number  would  be  allured  to  the  traps,  where  they  may  be  de- 
stroyed. When  these  insects  have  got  possession  of  a  hive, 
they  cannot  by  any  means  in  our  power  be  expelled  ;  the  only 

*  Probably  another  insect  of  different  habits. 


392  ON    THE    BEE-MOTH. 

remedy  consists  in  the  removal  of  the  bees  into  another  hive- 
It  would  be  preposterous  to  suppose  that  any  article  could  be 
applied  to  the  insect,  while  in  its  cocoon  in  the  interior  of  the 
hive,  that  would  effect  its  destruction.  Common  salt  has  been 
recommended,  but  1  have  enclosed  the  worms  in  a  box  con- 
taining marine  salt,  and  they  have  covered  themselves  with  their 
web,  and  remained  there  about  six  months,  when  they  were 
transformed  into  the  miller.  1  have  put  them  into  a  solution 
of  alkaline  salts,  and  even  potash,  and  they  have  escaped  with 
impunity. 

Knowing,  therefore,  the  inutility  of  all  our  means  to  effect  the 
destruction  of  the  bee-moth,  it  only  remains  to  describe  the 
most  effectual  expedient  to  prevent  its  ravages  among  our 
apiaries. 

A  proper  understanding  of  the  instinctive  habits  of  the  female 
moth  for  the  propagation  of  her  species,  will  indicate  the  most 
successful  mode  of  procedure.  It  has  been  already  observed 
that  the  female  selects  an  appropriate  situation  as  a  nidus  for  her 
eggs  :  she  discovers  a  partiality  for  the  floor  of  the  bee-hive,  an- 
ticipating the  sweets  of  its  contents  for  her  dainty  offspring.  Se- 
cluded from  the  interior  of  the  hive,  she  deposits  her  eggs 
about  its  edges  and  in  crevices  as  near  its  entrance  as  possible, 
trusting  to  the  instinctive  faculty  of  her  progeny  to  seek  their 
way  into  the  hive.  From  all  my  observations,  I  have  not  been 
able  to  discover  that  moths  enter  bee-hives  by  the  common  en- 
trance. The  bees  have  constantly  stationed  at  their  avenue  a 
powerful  and  vigilant  guard,  and  on  the  approach  of  a  moth,  a 
mutual  alarm  and  commotion  is  observable,  and  the  assailant  is 
soon  obliged  to  retreat.  In  locations,  however,  where  moths 
are  very  numerous,  they  may  out-general  their  opposers,  and 
obtain  an  entrance.  From  the  foregoing  considerations  it  must 
appear  obvious,  that  the  only  effectual  method  to  secure  the  hives 
from  the  ravages  of  the  great  enemy  to  bees,  consists  in  a  close 
house,  to  seclude  them  from  all  access.  This  unquestionably 
affords  the  only  defence,  and  combines  all  the  requisite  advan- 
tages.    From  three  years  experience,  I  cm  affirm  that  this  plan 


APIARY.  393 

has  answered  my  full  expectations,  and  I  can  rely  upon  it  as  a 
perfect  security.  I  have  no  reason  to  suppose  that  my  apiary 
is  in  the  least  infested  with  the  insects.  The  form  and  dimen- 
sions of  the  house  which  I  have  found  convenient,  is  in  length 
proportioned  to  the  number  of  hives  which  it  is  to  contain.  The 
width  is  about  18  inches,  and  the  height  about  two  and  a  half  feet 
for  a  single  tier  of  hives,  with  a  roof  slooping  in  front.  The 
front  part  should  be  entirely  closed,  having  apertures  at  proper 
distances  to  correspond  with  the  mouths  of  the  several  hives  to 
be  placed  within.  The  outlet  from  the  hive,  and  from  the 
house,  should  be  a  little  sloping  downwards,  that  the  bees  may 
with  greater  facility  remove  obnoxious  substances,  and  be  bet- 
ter enabled  to  defend  themselves  against  their  enemies.  The 
whole  wall  on  the  back  part  should  consist  of  doors  furnished 
with  hinges  and  fastenings.  The  house  is  to  be  placed  on  posts 
about  two  and  a  half  feet  high,  set  into  the  ground,  and  secured 
from  being  turned  over  by  the  wind.  The  doors  may  be  shut 
or  left  open  in  the  day,  as  circumstances  may  require,  both 
winter  and  summer  ;  and  if  thought  necessary,  a  grating  may  be 
placed  before  the  avenue  at  night.  Instead  of  the  house  just 
described,  the  hives  might  be  placed  in  an  upper  apartment  in 
an  out-house,  and  the  height  from  the  ground  would  afford  ad- 
ditional security  against  the  moth.  As  a  further  precaution,  it 
may  be  recommended  to  whitewash  the  front  of  the  house,  and 
the  floor-board,  which  should  also  be  changed  frequently. 

I  subscribe  myself  the  Committee's  very  humble  servant, 

James  Thacher. 

Plymouth,  October  SOth,  1831. 


[To  the  Trustees  ofthe  Massachusetts   Agricultural  Society.] 

Gentlemen — With  this  is  forwarded,  for  your  examination 
and  disposal,  the  model  of  an  A.piary,  designed  to  guard  the  bees 
within  from  the  bee-moth.  The  distinguishing  principle  of  this 
apiary  is,  that  with  the  aid  of  frame  doors,  covered  with  mil- 
lenet,  the  miller  is  effectually  shut  out  of  the  house,  while  the  bees 
are  not  at  all  injured  from  the  want  of  air.     For  the  principle. 


394  APIARY. 

I  acknowledge  myself  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Noyes,  of 
Needham.  I  will  describe  the  apiary  as  built  for  two  Charlies- 
hope  hives.  It  may  be  made  longer,  so  as  to  admit  any  number 
of  hives. 

1.  Two  planks,  5  feet  and  3  inches  in  length,  and  1  foot 
and  8  inches  in  width,  are  placed  perpendicularly  in  sills  6  feet 
in  length.     These  planks  form  the  two  ends  of  the  apiary. 

2.  The  length  of  the  apiary  for  two  hives  should  be  4 
feet  outside.  A  partition  board  in  the  centre  divides  the  house 
into  two  apartments,  21 J  inches  wide. 

3.  The  roof  is  double,  and  made  to  be  put  on  and  taken  off 
at  pleasure.  It  is  fastened  with  four  iron  pins,  and  at  each 
corner.  It  must  be  taken  off,  in  order  to  put  in  or  take  out 
the  hive. 

4.  The  bottom,  or  floor,  is  inserted  4  inches  from  the  sills. 

5.  In  the  back,  two  doors  are  inserted  against  each  apart- 
ment. The  upper  door  is  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  bees 
through  the  glasses  in  the  hive.  The  lower  for  admitting  a 
free  circulation. 

6.  In  front  the  apiary  is  boarded  down  within  18  inches  of 
the  bottom.  A  cant  is  here  inserted,  8  inches  wide,  to  throw 
off  the  water.  The  space  below  is  filled  with  a  movable 
frame,  covered  with  millinet — to  be  put  in  a  little  after  sun- 
down, and  removed  before  sunrise,  through  the  miller  season. 

Parallel  bars  are  inserted  in  each  apartment  between  which  the 

« 
hive  stands. 

In  the  model,  the  cedar  blocks  represent  bricks,  on  which  the 
sills  stand.  There  are  holes  in  the  ends  of  the  sills  with  pins, 
which  are  to  be  driven  into  the  ground,  that  the  apiary  may  stand 
perfectly  firm. 

With  the  model  of  the  apiary  I  send  also  a  model  of  the 
Charlieshope  hive,  and  a  model  frame  for  the  convenience  of 
moving  it. 

REMARKS. 

1.  I  think  it  would  be  an  improvement  in  this  apiary,  to  have 
the  roof  permanent,  and  the  bar  in  the  back  movable,  so  that 


APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES.  395 

the  hive  can  be  set  in,  or  taken  out,  by  simply  removing  the 
bar. 

2.  It  is  essential,  that  every  part  of  the  apiary  be  made 
tight;  and  that  it  may  continue  so,  it  should  be  well  painted. 

3.  For  two  seasons  I  have  used  an  apiary,  not  constructed 
after  the  model  which  I  send  you,  but  embracing  its  distinguish- 
ing principle,  that  is,  the  millenet  doors;  and  am  satisfied, 
that  it  is  an  effectual  security  against  the  miller. 

4.  The  Charlieshope  hive  I  think  preferable  to  any  other 
that  1  am  acquainted  with,  in  regard  to  its  shape.  But  the 
Thacher  hive  is  rather  preferable  in  this  particular — that  of  ta- 
king away  the  surplus  honey.  I  have,  therefore,  made  and  used 
a  hive  combining  the  distinguishing  principles  of  both;  that  is, 
having  the  wedge  bottom,  and  drawers  in  the  top.  In  some,  1 
have  two  drawers,  and  in  others  but  one,  that  being  made  to  fill 
the  whole  space.  I  have  glasses  in  the  lower  part,  and  also  the 
drawers. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  R.  Barbour. 
JVewbury  [Byjield),  JYov.  10,  1831. 


[To  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Societj'.] 

Gentlemen — Accompanying  this,  I  forward,  for  your  inspec- 
tion and  disposal,  the  model  of  an  apparatus,  which  I  have  pre- 
pared, for  the  purpose  of  transferring  bees  from  one  hive  to 
another,  with  water.  The  apparatus  consists  of  the  following 
parts,  which,  for  convenience  of  description,  I  have  named 
thus  : — 

C — Cistern,  to  receive  the  hive  to  be  operated  upon.  It  is 
30  inches  in  height,  and  20  inches  square. 

T — Tunnel,  fitted  on  the  outside  of  the  cistern,  to  convey 
the  water  to  the  hive. 

F — Follower,  to  rise  and  fall  in  the  cistern.  It  has  an  open- 
ing ten  inches  square  in  the  centre,  covered,  on  the  upper  side, 
with  sheet-iron  slides.  There  is  also,  on  the  upper  side,  a  set 
of  handles.     It  is  two  inches  thick  on  the  sides,  made  sloping 


396         APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES. 

on  the  under  side,  to  the  centre,  in  order  to  assist  the  bees  in 
keeping  out  of  the  way  of  the  water,  as  it  rises  upon  them. 
On  the  opposite  sides  of  the  follower  are  fastened  leather 
straps,  an  inch  wide,  with  buckles  with  which  to  confine  the 
hive  to  \he  follower. 

R — Receiver,  into  which  the  bees  are  driven.  It  is  20  inch- 
es in  height  and  10  inches  square,  corresponding  with  the  open- 
ing in  the  follower,  to  which  it  is  fastened  with  cleets  and  but- 
tons, and  can  be  taken  off,  and  put  on,  at  pleasure.  There  is 
a  set  of  slides  at  the  bottom  of  the  receiver,  corresponding  with 
those  on  the  follower.  In  the  top  of  the  receiver  is  a  chamber, 
to  receive  the  bees  that  may  happen  to  get  into  the  water,  and 
come  out  torpid.  A  perpendicular  board,  with  holes  in  right 
lines  in  the  centre  of  the  lower  room,  serves  as  a  support  for  the 
slides,  and  also  to  assist  the  bees  to  keep  out  of  the  water.  A 
slide  in  the  top,  opens  into  the  chamber.  A  partition  slide 
opens  a  communication  between  the  chamber  and  lower  room. 
There  is  also  a  slide  in  the  side  of  the  receiver,  at  which  to  let 
out  the  bees  into  their  destined  tenement.  Two  panes  of  tin,  7 
by  5  inches,  with  holes  punctured,  inserted  in  opposite  sides  of 
the  .receiver,  serve  to  admit  light  and  air. 

Directions  for  using  the  above  described  apparatus. 

1.  Let  the  hive  to  be  operated  upon,  be  removed  some  dis- 
tance from  any  other,  and  stand  there  long  enough  for  the  bees 
to  become  perfectly  wonted  to  the  localities  of  the  place. 

2.  The  evening  (or  some  evening)  before  you  design  to  ope- 
rate upon  the  hive,  raise  it  gently  and  place  under  it  the  fol- 
lower, bottom  side  up — the  slides  being  carefully  closed  and 
fastened. 

3.  In  the  morning,  if  the  weather  be  warm  and  pleasant, 
stop  the  door  of  the  hive,^  and  with  clean  linen  rags  cork  every 
place  where  a  bee  can  pass  out.  With  the  straps  confine  the  hive 
to  the  follower.  With  a  gimblet  bore  six  or  eight  holes  in  the 
side  of  the  hive  near  the  top  to  admit  the  water.     As  the  comb 


APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES.        397 

is  usually  put  up  in  parallel  sheets  with  a  space  between,  it  is 
best  to  have  the  water  admitted  into  each  space. 

4.  Take  the  hive  thus  prepared  from  the  stand,  and,  by  the 
handles  upon  the  follower,  set  it  gently  into  the  cistern. 

5.  Take  the  receiver,  with  all  the  slides  carefully  closed, 
and  place  it  upon  the  follower,  and  turn  the  buttons. 

6.  Draw  the  slides  in  the  follower  and  the  corresponding 
slides  in  the  bottom  of  the  receiver,  and  permit  the  bees  to  pass 
up.  This  they  will  be  glad  enough  to  do,  when  they  perceive 
the  water  coming  in  upon  them,  which  is  the  next  thing  to  be 
done.  Pour  the  water  slowly  into  the  tuimel  until  it  overflows 
the  slides  in  the  receiver. 

7.  Close  and  fasten  the  slides  of  the  receiver  and  take  it  off. 
Raise  the  hive  from  the  water,  remove  the  follower,  invert  the 
hive  over  the  cistern,  and  a  few  raps  upon  it  will  bring  out  the 
bees  that  may  remain  in  it  in  a  torpid  state.  Perhaps  a  wing,  or 
soft  brush,  may  also  be  useful.  With  a  common  kitchen  skim- 
mer, take  the  torpid  bees  from  the  water,  and  put  them  into  the 
chamber  prepared  for  their  accommodation.  Draw  the  parti- 
tion slide,  and  thus  admit  the  wet  and  dry  bees  together.  The 
heat  of  the  family  will  soon  restore  the  torpid  ones  to  ani- 
mation. 

8.  Take  from  the  old  hive  pieces,  (more  or  less  as  you  may 
choose)  of  good  broad  comb,  and  put  them  into  the  hive  de- 
signed for  the  habitation  of  your  bees.  This  may  be  done  by 
running  a  rod  or  rods  through  them. 

9.  Place  the  receiver  horizontally  upon  the  stand  where  the 
old  hive  stood.  Set  the  new  hive  upon  it,  draw  the  slide 
designed  for  the  purpose,  and  your  bees  will  pass  up,  and  joy- 
fully take  possession  of  their  new  home.  If,  however,  they  show 
any  reluctance  in  regard  to  going  up,  apply  a  little  water  with  a 
grape  vine  syringe,  or  with  your  hand,  and  they  will  soon  yield 
to  your  wishes. 

10.  When  the  bees  have  all  passed  up,  remove  the  receiver, 
ai^d  your  work  is  done.  Some  special  care,  however,  is  neces- 
sary for  a  time  in  guarding  them  from  robbers  ;  as  their  cour- 

10 


398        APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES- 

age  is,  in  a  measure,  prostrated,  and  their  fighting  propensities 
subdued,  by  the  influence  of  cold  water.  It  will  be  a  month 
or  two  before  they  will  be  as  prompt  in  self-defence  as  formerly. 

Occasions  in  which   this  Apparatus   may   be   useful   to    the 
Apiarian. 

1.  When  he  has  a  stock  of  bees  infested  with  the  bee-moth. 
As  there  is  no  way  known  by  which  to  expel  the  moth,  unless 
the  bees  can  be  removed  to  a  new  tenement,  they  must  be  sa- 
crificed. 

2.  When  the  hive  becomes  old  and  decayed,  and  a  new 
one  is  desirable. 

3.  When  his  bees  are  in  an  old-fashioned  box-hive,  or  hol- 
low tree,  and  he  wishes  to  have  them  in  one  of  the  newly  in- 
vented hives. 

4.  When,  in  the  autumn,  he  wishes  to  take  the  honey  from 
any  hive,  and  yet  save  the  bees.  If  he  has  a  stock  that  is  fee- 
ble, or  not  above  mediocrity  as  to  numbers,  he  can  unite  the 
two ;  and  he  will  probably  have  in  consequence  one  more  new 
swarm  the  coming  season. 

5.  When  he  has  a  stock  that  has  become  old,  the  comb 
thick,  and  black,  and  dirty,  and  the  cells  small,  he  can  remove 
his  bees  to  another  habitation,  and  they  will  begin  life  anew  j 
the  same,  for  aught  I  can  see,  as  a  new  swarm.  This  fact, 
however,  can  be  satisfactorily  tested  only  by  further  experience. 
My  present  opinion  is,  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  give  bees 
a  new  and  clean  tenement  to  dwell  and  work  in,  as  often  as 
once  in  four  or  five  years. 

Origin  of   the    Apparatus,  and  cases  in  which  it  has  been 

used. 
In  April,  1830,  1  purchased  a  stock  of  bees,  the  best  that  I 
could  get,  but  it  was  a  very  old  one  ;  the  hive  a  clumsy  box,  and 
withal  rotten,  and  what  was  worse,  I  soon  found  it  full  of  worms. 
Believing  that  I  should  lose  my  bees  unless  I  could  get  them 
into  a  new  tenement,  I  undertook  to  transfer  them  into  a  Thacher 


APPARATUS    FOR    TRANSFERRING    BEES.  399 

hive,  according  to  the  directions  given  in  Thacher's  interesting 
treatise  on  bees  ;  that  is,  by  drumming  them  out :  I  made 
three  attempts  without  success.  The  last  time,  I  said  to  the 
young  man  assisting  me,  (Mr.  Sewell  Dole,  of  this  parish)  that 
I  might  as  well  lose  them  one  way  as  another,  and  we  would  see 
what  could  be  done  with  water.  Accordingly,  we  took  a  large 
tub,  set  the  hive  inverted  into  it,  with  the  new  one  on  the  top, 
and  filled  the  tub  with  water.  The  bees  passed  up.  We  then 
removed  it  to  the  old  stand,  having  put  a  slide  under  to  confine 
the  bees.  We  put  the  torpid  bees  and  a  piece  of  broad  comb 
into  one  of  the  drawers,  and  left  them.  This  was  done  in  the 
evening  of  May  20th,  1 830.  The  next  morning,  by  a  little  after 
sunrise,  the  bees  were  at  work  finely.  In  September  following 
I  weighed  them,  and  found  they  had  made  44  lbs.  of  honey 
and  wax.  August  12th,  1  procured  and  treated  another  old 
swarm  in  the  same  way;  and  another  August  14th.  But  in 
all  these  operations  there  was  one  special  difficulty ;  the  diffi- 
culty of  fitting  the  new  hive  to  the  old  one,  so  as  to  confine  the 
bees.  Indeed  we  could  not  do  it  effectually.  Many  would 
escape.  Of  course  we  were  constantly  annoyed  by  their 
stings.  Yet  three  things  were  proved, — 1st,  that  water  will  ex- 
pel the  bees.  2d,  that  the  honey  is  not  injured  or  wasted  by 
water,  as  the  honey-cells,  as  soon  as  filled,  are  all  sealed.  3d, 
that  there  is  no  danger  of  drowning  the  bees,  as  the  few  that 
were  found  in  the  water  torpid  were  easily  resuscitated.  These 
facts  led  to  the  construction  of  the  apparatus.  It  has  been 
used  with  entire  success  in  the  following  cases. 

1.  In  June  last,  a  part  of  the  apparatus  was  used  in  transfer- 
ring a  swarm  belonging  to  Dea.  Isaac  Platts,  of  New  Rowley. 
They  were  in  a  hive  larger  than  the  cistern,  and  of  course  the 
cistern  could  not  be  used.  The  lighting  board  was  nailed  to 
the  hive,  the  hive  inserted  in  a  hogshead,  an  opening  eight  or 
nine  inches  square  sawed  in  the  board,  and  as  the  piece  cut 
out  was  removed,  the  receiver  was  slipped  over.  Water  was 
then  applied,  and  the  bees  passed  into  the  receiver,  and  were 


400  APPARATUS    FOR    TRANSFERRING    BEES. 

thence  removed  to  their  new  home  without  difficuhy.      No 
person  was  stung  during  the  operation. 

2.  Early  in  July,  the  apparatus  was  used  in  transferring  a 
stock  belonging  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Steadman,  of  Newburyport. 
His  hive  was  inverted  the  season  previous,  and  an  empty  one 
set  on  the  top,  into  which  the  comb  from  the  old  hive  had  been 
extended.  The  separation  of  the  two  hives  exposed  the  opera- 
tors to  some  stings ;  but  when  this  was  done,  the  transfer  was 
easy.  Mr  S.  informed  me,  a  few  days  since,  that  his  bees  had 
done  well,  except  that  they  had  been  annoyed  by  millers. 

3.  July  12th,  I  transferred  a  stock  of  my  own.  It  was  in  a 
hive  of  common  dimensions,  and  the  transfer  was  entirely  easy. 
A  number  of  friends  were  present,  and  some  children,  but  no 
one  received  a  sting. 

4.  In  the  early  part  of  September,  a  part  of  the  apparatus 
was  employed  in  transferring  a  swarm  on  the  farm  in  this  parish, 
belonging  to  Gorham  Parsons,  Esq.  of  Brighton.  This  swarm, 
the  season  previous,  had  taken  possession  of  the  roof  of  the 
apiary,  and  commenced  building  their  comb.  Mr.  Parsons 
built  a  box  around  them,  which  they  had  entirely  filled.  They 
were  removed  in  this  manner :  the  apiary  was  inverted,  and 
stiff  clay  placed  around  the  box  containing  the  bees,  so  as  to 
make  it  water  tight.  An  opening  eight  or  nine  inches  square 
was  then  sawed  into  the  bottom  board,  and  the  receiver  set 
over  it.  With  a  tin  tunnel  the  box  was  filled  with  water,  and  the 
receiver  removed.  When  the  box  was  taken  in  pieces,  i|ths 
of  the  bees  were  found  within  in  a  torpid  state.  This  was  owing 
to  a  board,  unknown  to  the  operators,  lying  nearly  parallel  with 
the  bottom  of  the  box,  which  completely  blocked  up  the  passage 
of  most  of  the  bees.  They  were  however  carefully  collect- 
ed and  put  into  the  chamber  of  the  receiver,  and  soon  revived. 
There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  queen  was  drowned,  and 
put  into  the  chamber  wet  and  torpid  along  with  her  subjects, 
for  the  bees  gathered  into  the  chamber,  nor  could  they  be  induced 
to  leave  it  until  the  next  day.  Then  by  setdng  the  receiver 
upright,  drawing  all  the  slides,  and  thereby  letting  in  the  light 


APPARATUS    FOR    TRANSFERRING    BEES.  401 

and  air.  they  left  the  chamber,  and  took  possession  of  their  new 
tenement.  They  immediately  commenced  building  their  comb, 
and  worked  well  for  a  fortnight,  when  they  were  attacked  by 
robbers,  and  destroyed. 

5.  Alady  (Mrs. Kent)  in  my  parish,  having  a  swarm  which 
she  was  expecting  to  smother  for  the  sake  of  their  honey,  was 
induced,  from  motives  of  humanity  and  personal  kindness,  to 
present  them  to  me.  September  20th,  I  rode  to  her  house 
before  breakfast,  took  the  bees  into  a  receiver  and  brought  them 
home,  and  united  them  with  the  stock  which  I  transferred  July 
12th.  The  union  was  effected  by  setting  the  hive  upon  the  re- 
ceiver and  drawing  the  slide.  Nor  did  the  tenants  of  the  hive 
refuse  them  the  hospitalities  of  their  house.  Professional  du- 
ties called  me  away  immediately  after  breakfast,  and  I  did  not 
return  until  evening :  so  that  I  failed  to  witness  the  battle  of 
the  queens,  if  there  was  one.  When  1  returned,  every  bee 
had  gone  up,  and  all  was  perfectly  still.  Mrs.  B.  had  watched 
them  quite  attentively  through  the  day,  and  saw  no  signs  of 
contention  among  them  at  any  time.  Both  swarms  were  old, 
and  rather  small,  but  united  they  make  a  fine  stock. 

Miscellaneous  Remarks. 
1.  I  am  somewhat  at  a  loss  to  determine  at  what  season  of 
the  year  it  is  best,  on  the  whole,  to  transfer  bees.  Several 
things  are  to  be  considered.  If  you  transfer  a  stock  early,  say 
in  May,  they  will  "  begin  the  world  again  "  the  same  as  a  new 
swarm,  having  the  whole  of  the  honey  season  before  them. 
But  in  this  case  you  will  destroy  many  young  bees,  partly 
grown,  and  lose  a  swarm  which  they  would  probably  have 
thrown  out  if  they  had  stood  undisturbed  until  July  or  August. 
Yet  if  they  stand  thus  long,  you  may  probably  get  a  new  col- 
ony ;  but  the  old  one,  if  it  is  then  transferred,  must  be  liberally 
fed.  This  point  is  clear,  that  no  swarm  ought  to  be  disturbed 
after  the  middle  of  June,  unless  the  owner  is  willing  to  be  at 
the  expense  and  trouble  of  giving  them  back  25  or  30  pounds 
of  the  honey  taken  away,  or  some  other.     But  if  a  stock  is 


402        APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES. 

much  infested  with  worms,  it  is  best,  1  should  think,  to  transfer 
it  at  any  time,  even  as  late  as  October. 

2.  I  have  found  the  Havana  honey  to  be  a  very  cheap  and 
excellent  thing  to  feed  with.  As  it  is  usually  candied,  I  take 
it,  and  put  a  little  water  with  it,  and  set  it  by  the  fire  until  it 
nearly  simmers.     This  dissolves  all  the  sugar  particles. 

3.  In  feeding,  special  care  must  be  taken  that  the  bees  do  not 
get  into  the  honey,  and  perish.  There  are  two  methods  which 
answer  the  purpose  entirely.  One  is,  to  pour  the  honey  slowly 
over  dry  comb  until  the  cells  are  full,  and  no  more.  The  bees 
will  take  it  out  of  the  cells  without  getting  into  it.  The  other  is, 
to  make  a  wooden  dish  perfectly  true,  with  a  very  thin  floating 
wooden  cover,  having  many  holes  in  it.  Put  the  honey  into 
the  dish,  and  the  bees  will  extract  it  through  the  holes. 

4.  In  feeding,  special  care  should  be  taken  to  keep  away  the 
bees  of  other  hives.  For  this  purpose,  make  a  tight  box  of 
the  size  of  your  hive,  and  6  or  8  inches  deep.  Let  there  be  a 
hole  in  the  top  large  enough  for  the  bees  to  pass  up  and  down 
with  facility,  and  a  door  in  the  front  side.  Set  the  hive  on  the 
box,  and  at  the  door  put  in  your  comb  upon  a  plate.  The 
bees  will  pass  down  and  carry  up  the  honey,  and  lay  it  away 
for  their  winter's  store.  It  is  best  not  to  open  the  box  except 
in  the  evening,  or  early  in  the  morning,  lest  other  bees 
should  find  the  honey,  and  be  tempted  to  rob  the  swarm  you 
are  feeding. 

5.  As  to  the  time  of  feeding,  it  is  best  to  commence  imme- 
diately after  your  stock  has  been  transferred,  even  if  it  is  in 
August  or  July.  I  am  satisfied  that  none  of  my  bees  the  two 
past  seasons  gathered  honey  enough  to  live  upon  through  the 
months  of  July  and  August.  In  September  they  did  better. 
And  further,  when  a  stock  has  been  transferred  after  the 
honey  season  is  past  or  nearly  so,  finding  themselves  reduced 
to  a  state  of  entire  bankruptcy,  and  little  or  no  business  abroad 
to  be  done  to  repair  their  broken  fortune,  they  settle  down 
in  heartless  despondency,  and  die.  This  is  not  theory,  but 
fact.     The  middle  of  August,  1830,  I  transferred  two  swarms, 


APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES.         403 

as  already  mentioned,  and  left  them  to  take  care  of  themselves, 
expecting  that  they  would  get  their  living  for  a  time,  and 
something  more.  But  they  were  dispirited  and  inactive  ;  and 
before  I  was  aware  of  it,  one  halfor  two  thirds  of  the  bees  in 
each  hive  were  dead.  I  then  united  the  remnants  of  the  two 
stocks,  but  it  was  still  a  dispirited  colony.  Some  time  in  the 
early  part  of  September,  I  began  to  feed  them.  This  at  once 
threw  life  and  animation  into  the  hive.  They  carried  up  15 
or  20  pounds,  and  upon  this  they  lived  through  the  winter. 
Many  more  of  the  bees  I  lost  in  feeding,  by  their  getting  into 
the  honey,  before  I  had  learned  how  to  prevent  it ;  so  that  my 
stock  came  out  very  slender  this  spring.  But  they  have  done 
tolerably  well  this  summer. 

The  stock  that  I  transferred  July  12th  of  the  present  season, 
and  to  which  I  united  another,  September  20th,  as  already 
stated,  I  commenced  feeding  immediately,  and  fed  them  as  often 
as  once  or  twice  a  week  until  the  union.  From  that  time  to 
the  present,  I  have  designed  to  give  them  daily  all  the  honey 
they  would  carry  up,  which  has  been  about  30  pounds.  They 
have,  therefore,  been  vigorous  and  active  all  the  while,  and  are 
now  well  furnished  for  the  winter.  If  I  transfer  another  stock 
after  the  middle  of  June,  it  is  my  design  to  give  them  daily  all 
that  they  will  eat  and  carry  up  for  the  rest  of  the  season.  As 
I  use  the  Charlieshope  hive,  I  should  like  to  have  a  stock  fill 
the  lower  apartment  with  this  cheap  honey.  They  would 
make  so  much  the  more  in  the  boxes  the  ensuing  season,  that 
1  think  it  would  be  good  economy. 

1  am  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  R.  Barbour. 
iJVewbury  (Byfield),  JVovember  10,  1831. 

P.  S. — I  have  thought,  that  it  would  be  interesting  to  the 
Trustees  to  peruse  a  letter  which  I  received  from  Gorham 
Parsons,  Esq.  of  Brighton,  giving  a  particular  account  of  his 
success  in  using  my  apparatus.  I  therefore  send  the  letter 
along  with  this  communication. 


404      APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEES. 

In  reading  Mr.  Parsons'  letter,  I  am  reminded  of  one  thing 
on  which  I  have  not  spoken.  It  is  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
bees  destroyed  in  transferring  a  stock.  I  would  say  then,  that 
in  removing  them  from  a  common  hive,  you  need  not  lose 
any,  except  such  as  may  happen  to  get  maimed  in  some  of 
the  operations.  The  water  will  not  kill  them.  It  only  renders 
them  torpid.  Heat  will  reanimate  them.  Hence  the  neces- 
sity of  taking  a  warm  pleasant  day  for  the  operation. 


Brighton,  Sept.  1st,  1831. 
Dear  Sir, — I  availed  myself  of  the  liberty  you  gave  me  when 
at  Byfield,  and  applied  at  the  New-England  Farmer  office  for 
your  model  of  the  apparatus  for  removing  bees  from  an  old  or 
defective  hive  to  a  new  one.  It  was  readily  delivered  to  me, 
and  I  had  a  cistern  and  receiver  made  of  the  proper  dimen- 
sions, conforming  to  the  model,  which  I  have  since  returned  in 
the  same  good  order  as  when  received  by  me,  and  I  beg  you 
to  accept  my  thanks  for  the  loan  of  it.  I  made  use  of  my 
apparatus  soon  after  it  was  made,  and  the  paint  dry,  and  have 
succeeded  so  well,  that  I  feel  bound  to  communicate  to  you 
the  particulars,  which  are  as  follow,  and  by  which  you  will  per- 
ceive whether  I  followed  the  directions  you  gave  me.  On  the 
19th  of  August,  I  commenced  with  an  old  square  hive,  with  five 
glasses  on  the  top,  in  each  of  which  the  bees  had  made  more  or 
less  comb.  This  swarm  was  put  into  the  hive  in  June,  1827,  and 
had  performed  well  till  this  season  ;  and  this  was  the  only  hive  I 
owned  that  had  not  given  me  one  or  more  swarms  this  season  ; 
from  four  hives  I  had  six  swarms,  and  succeeded  in  hiving  them 
all  securely.  In  this  old  hive  I  was  apprehensive  that  there 
was  some  difficulty,  from  the  confused  manner  in  which  they 
left,  and  approached  the  hive,  and  the  irritable  disposition  they 
showed  on  approaching  the  apiary  since  the  early  part  of  sum- 
mer. I  was  under  the  necessity  of  having  my  garden  syringe 
used  very  freely,  to  make  them  sufficiently  quiet  to  remove  the 
bottom  board,  and  put  the  follower,  as  you  term  it,  in  its  place. 


APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  REKS.       405 

I  soon  succeeded,  and  took  out  the  bottom  board,  which,  in  this 
hive  only,  had  not  been  exchanged  for  near  two  monilis,  in 
conseqience  of  their  disposition  to  sling  all  who  approached. 
On  this  bottom  board  I  found  more  than  a  dozen  worms,  from 
one  half  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  length,  all  active,  and 
nioviiig  very  quick,  except  two,  which  the  bees  had  covered 
close  with  their  propolis.  While  examining  the  bottom  board, 
one  of  the  worms  bored  through  the  end  of  his  covering, 
and  crawled  out ;  he  was  an  inch  and  five-eighths  long,  and  as 
hirge  as  a  common  pipe-stem,  a  few  inches  from  the  end — The 
other  worm  that  was  covered,  on  raismg  the  propolis  with  my 
knife,  I  found  had  nearly  effected  his  escape  by  making  a  path- 
way in  t!;e  wood  under  his  covering, — it  appeared  as  if  made  by 
a  gouge, — nearly  one  quarter  of  an  inch  in  width,  and  of  the 
same  depth  ; — he  would  soon  have  obtained  his  liberty.  I  was 
fully  satisfied  tlie  worms  would  have  soon  destioyed  the  bees, 
and  was  glad  I  had  commenced  their  removal.  The  last  men- 
tioned worm  was  quite  as  large  as  the  other ;  their  bodies  of  a 
yellowish  white,  their  heads  covered  with  a  hard  yellow  scale. 
The  next  morning,  the  20th,  I  stopped  entrance  of  hive — buckled 
straps  to  secure  the  follower, — took  off  glasses  from  top  of  hive, — 
corked  up  holes  leading  to  glasses,  and  removed  hive  from  api- 
ary— then  attached  the  receiver  to  bottom  of  follower,  and  took 
the  hive  (top  on  which  glasses  stood  down,)  and  placed  it  in  cis- 
tern,— then,  after  drawing  the  sliders  on  the  follower  and  in  the 
bottom  of  receiver,  filled  the  cistern  gradually  with  water  nearly 
to  the  top  of  the  hive.  Tiie  bees  went  up  readily,  and  ap- 
peared to  fill  the  receiver,  which  was  then  removed  from  the 
old  hive,  first  closing  the  bottom  of  receiver  with  the  tin  slides. 
On  examining  the  old  hive,  I  found  in  one  corner  of  it  more 
than  one  hundred  worms  of  all  sizes.  They  had  covered  ma- 
ny of  the  bees  with  a  sort  of  web,  and  destroyed  them.  Some 
bees  ren)ained  in  the  spaces  between  the  sheets  of  comb.  A 
few  pieces  of  the  comb,  which  the  worms  had  not  approached, 
werethen  fastened  on  slicks  and  put  in  the  new  hive, — the  comb 

free  from  worms,  imless  they  were  in  the  sealed  cells  (which  I 
U 


406       APPARATUS  FOR  TRANSFERRING  BEtS. 

hope  was  not  the  case)  ;  ilie  receiver  attaclied  to  new  hive,  the 
comnnunication  opened,  and  the  bees  parsed  into  it  readily. 
The  bees  found  in  the  comb  and  apparently  drowned,  were  put 
into  the  apartment  appropriated  for  them  in  the  receiver,  but 
not  more  than  JuUf  a  p  nt  were  resuscitated.  I  lost  nearly  that 
quantity,  but  I  thought  most  of  the  loss  was  occasioned  by  not 
putting  them  into  the  receiver  before  the  bees  were  put  into  the 
new  hive,  as  their  warmth  was  necessary  to  restore  life.  I 
took  from  the  old  hive  twenty  jiounds  strained  honey,  and  from 
the  comb  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  worms  ten  j)ounds  and  an 
half,  which  is  kept  to  feed  the  bees  when  required.  Neither 
the  honey  nor  comb  received  any  injury  in  quality,  or  diminu- 
tion in  quantity  from  the  immersion  in  water,  and  no  one  was 
stung  during  the  whole  operation.  On  the  29th  following  I 
removed  another  swarm,  for  the  purpose  of  putting  them  into 
a  Charlieshope  hive,  and  on  the  30ih,  another,  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. The  last  was  a  swarm  of  this  season,  the  other  a  swarm 
of  1830,  that  had  thrown  out  a  swarm  early  this  season.  I  had 
no  difficulty  in  removing  them  ;  no  person  was  stung,  and  the 
three  swarms  in  thdir  new  tenements  appear  to  be  doing  well. 
I  fear,  however,  it  was  rather  too  late  in  the  season ;  but  they 
must  be  supplied,  to  fill  their  comb,  till  the  cold  weather  makes 
them  torpid.  I  am  much  pleased  with  your  plan,  and  think  it 
a  great  improvement  in  the  management  of  bees;  hope  yoa 
will  cpmmunicate  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  public. 

I  am  also  very  much  pleased  and  gratified  with  your  methcd 
of  securing  bees  from  the  ravages  of  the  bee-moth.  I  c-'jll- 
ed  last  spring  to  look  at  your  bees,  but  you  was  from  hcmie. 
1  was  at  once  struck  with  your  closing  the  apiaries  with  mil- 
linet  on  a  light  frame,  kept  close  at  the  ends  by  buttC/ns.  I 
have  found  the  practice  of  stopping  the  entrance  to  the  hive  with' 
wove  wire  doors,  very  troublesome  and  inconvenient,  at  times 
hazardous,  and  injurious  to  the  bees  in  warm  weather,  as 
they  appeared  to  suffer  for  want  of  air,  which  your  ])lan  of 
closing  the  apiary  only,  entirely  obviates. 

I  adopted  it  on  my  return  home  for  all  my  apiuries ;  found  it 


ON  THE  BEST  APPLE  ORCHARDS.  407 

simple,  and  not  expensive ; — it  did  not  cost  quite  fifty  cents 
to  secure  my  largest  apiary,  containing  three  hives  in  a  range. 
I  never  failed  to  close  my  apiaries  at  sunset  through  the 
season,  and  shall  continue  it  till  cold  weather  puts  a  full  check  on 
all  winged  insects  ;  and  am  fully  satisfied  it  will  prove  effectual, 
unless  the  moth  wings  his  way  to  the  hive  during  the  day. 
I  have  found  a  number  on  the  outside  of  the  apiaries  in  the 
morning,  and  destroyed  them.  I  cannot  but  prefer  the  Char- 
lieshope  hives  to  any  1  have  yet  met  with.  I  shall  be  disappoint- 
ed if,  on  trial,  they  do  not  obtain  a  preference  with  all  who  use 
them.  I  must  defer  at  this  time  the  result  of  my  experiment 
with  the  worms  taken  from  the  old  hive,  which  I  put  in  a  box 
with  honey  and  honey-comb.  On  my  next  visit,  if  I  have  the 
pleasure  of  meeting  you,  will  give  you  the  particulars. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GoRHAM  Parsons. 

Rev.  {sAAC  R.  Barbocr. 


APPLE  ORCHARDS. 

Boston,  Sept.  1,  1831. 
Benjamin  Guilds  Esq. 

Sir, — Observing  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society 
have  offered  a  premium  of  fifty  dollars  for  the  best  apple  or- 
chard, I  have  to  request  you  will  present  my  claim  to  the  Com- 
mittee, with  the  following  statement. 

In  the  fall  of  1822,  the  piece  of  ground,  where  the  orchard 
stands,  was  broken  up,  and  holes  dug  for  one  half  of  the  trees. 
The  trees  were  taken  from  the  nursery  as  soon  as  the  frost  per- 
mitted, and  set  out  in  the  Spring  of  1823,  ^  Russetts,  ^Green- 
ings, ^  Baldwins.  The  ground  was  planted  with  corn  and  po- 
•tatoes  in  (he  fall  of  1823  ;  holes  were  dug,  and  the  other  half 
planted  in  the  spring  of  1824;  the  ground  p'anted  with  corn 
where  the  potatoes  were,  and  so  on  till  1827,  when  it  was  laid 
down  with  barley,  clover  and  herds  grass.  About  five  feet  in 
diameter  has  been  kept  open,  and  hoed  every  spring  and  fall, — 
every  other  year  about  a  peck  of  wood  ashes  has  been  put 


408      ON  THE  DESTRUCTION  OF  FRUIT  TREES. 

round  each  tree.  They  have  been  trimmed  and  washed  every 
spring  and  fall,  with  a  wash  ^  lime  and  f  cow  dung,  till  this  fall, 
when  I  washed  them  with  soap  suds. 

Your  humble  servant, 

John  Mackay. 


THE     EXTRAORDINARY     DESTRUCTION      OF    THE     LAST     YEAR's 
WOOD  IN  FRUIT  TREES,  AND  THE   PROBABLE  CAUSES  OF  IT. 

To  the  Publishing  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting 
^Agriculture. 

Boston,  March  20,  1832. 
Gentlemen, — 1  shall  assume  as  a  fact,  founded  on  my  own 
experience,  and  the  information  derived  from  various  and  ex- 
tensive inquiries,  that  the  last  winter  has  most  injuriously,  possi- 
bly destructively,  affected  every  variety  of  fruit-trees.  The  ex- 
tent of  the  evil  cannot  be  accurately  settled  until  we  have  more 
information  than  we  possess  at  present.  Neither  can  the  ex- 
tent of  the  injury  be  ascertained,  even  where  we  have  the  most 
perfect  means  of  examination,  until  we  shall  know  with  what 
vigour  nature  may  exert  itself  to  restore  or  repair  its  losses.  I 
perfectly  recollect,  that  about  forty  years  since,  there  occurred 
a  frost  late  in  May,  which  wholly  destroyed  the  young  shoots  of 
every  species  of  fruit  and  forest  trees.  They  recovered  from 
that  loss  in  one  or  two  years.  But  the  case  differed  in  many 
very  material  respects  from  the  present.  The  injury  in  that 
case  only  extended  to  the  young  and  green  shoots  of  the  exist- 
ing year,  but  it  did  not  affect  the  last  year's  shoots.  Tliis  is  a 
very  important  distinction.  The  last  year's  shoots  were  not 
deprived  of  their  functions ;  the  numerous  latent  buds,  which 
were  not  developed,  instantly  shot  forth,  and  supplied  the  place 
of  those  which  were  destroyed.  In  the  present  case,  the  whole 
of  the  last  year's  wood,  all  that  part  of  the  tree  which  was  de- 
signed to  extend  its  growth,  is  wholly  destroyed  in  very  many,  if 
not  in  a  majority  of  cases.  The  vegetative  or  conservative, 
power  has  been  destroyed  in  its  natural  source — it  is  precisely 


ON   THE    DESTRUCTION    OF    FRUIT   TREES.  409 

as  if  you  had  pruned  back  all  the  growth  of  the  last  year.  I 
have  no  doubt  that  the  root  and  the  stock  still  retain  their  pow- 
ers of  renewal,  and  that  the  trees  will  send  forth  new  and  vig- 
orous shoots  from  the  older  limbs.  It  is  interesting  to  the  cul- 
tivator to  inquire,  what  will  be  the  probable  effect  of  this  new 
and  extraordinary  demand  on  the  powers  of  the  plant.  I  mean 
to  state  only  what  appears  to  my  mind  to  be  its  probable  ef- 
fects. 

As  to  plants  which  are  herbaceous,  and  perennial,  and  which 
do  not  shed  their  leaves,  the  effects  of  destruction  or  excision  of 
the  last  year's  growth  are  very  trifling.  To  some  .of  them,  such 
as  the  geranium,  it  seems  to  be  questionable  whether  any  serious 
injury  results  from  such  a  loss.  It  is  also  true,  that  many 
woody  plants,  which  are  deciduous,  possess  a  power  of  repro- 
duction which  renders  them  almost  insensible  of  the  effects  of 
constant  deprivation  and  repeated  deprivation  of  the  last  year's 
growth.  It  is  from  this  1  iw  or  principle,  that  the  plants  which 
we  select  for  hedges,  will  endure  for  an  almost  unlimited  period  the 
barbarous  clippings  and  privations  to  which,  for  use  or  ornament, 
they  are  annually  subjected.  Nay,more,  they  seem  even  to  thrive 
the  belter  under  this  treatment.  This  however  is  only  decep- 
tive. The  plant  does  in  fact  suffer  as  nmch  as  its  more  noble 
and  more  useful  congeners, — as  the  finest  fruit  tree.  But  as  its 
use  to  us  is  of  a  different  character,  as  we  value  it,  not  for  its 
fruit,  but  for  ornament,  and  protection  against  cattle,  we  disre^ 
gard  the  mutilation  of  its  natural  powers;  we  treat  it  as  the  Ital- 
ian connoisseur  treats  his  eunuch — we  deprive  it  of  its  powers 
of  reproduction,  in  order  to  gratify  our  taste  ;  but  we  as  truly 
and  effectually  mar  the  designs  of  nature  in  the  one  case  as  in 
the  other.  Let  me  exemplify  this  by  a  simple  case.  The  white 
thorn  of  Great  Britain  is  kept  as  a  dwarf — it  rarely  flowers — 
it  is  a  feeble,  helpless  plant.  I  have  one,  which  was  left  in  my 
meadow  by  an  English  gentleman,  who  owned  the  estate  1  now 
possess,  sixty-five  years  since.  It  stands  alone.  No  rude 
hand  has  disturbed  it.  It  is  as  large  as  a  pear  tree,  and  flow- 
ers and  ripens  a  bushel  of  fruit  every  year.    It  is  man,  who  has 


4l0  ON  THTE    DESTRtrCTION    OP    FRUIT    TREES> 

dwarfed  it  for  his  own  purposes,  as  he  ha?,  improved  the  but- 
ton pear  to  the  Beurre  and  St.  Michael,  by  his  attention  to  it 
— as  he  has  raised  the  black  cattle  of  the  north  of  Europe, 
and  the  wild  sheep  of  the  steppes  of  Asia,  to  the  noble  short- 
horned  bull,  and  the  Saxony  buck.  It  is  not  distinctly  un- 
derstood, except  in  China,  where  they  raise  the  oak,  the  no- 
blest oaks,  to  eighteen  inches  in  height,  that  it  is  as  much  in 
the  power  of  man  to  degrade,  as  to  improve  that  vast  realm  of 
ntiture  over  which  God  has  given  him  the  absolute  dominion. 

To  return  to  our  principal  inquiry,  after  an  illustratipn  which 
some  may  consider  a  rhapsody,  but  which,  I  hope,  more  re- 
flecting minds  may  view  in  a  very  different  light,  as  exhibiting 
some  sound  and  philosophical  views  of  a  subject  which  has  as 
yet  received  no  very  definite  developement — What  will  proba- 
bly be  the  effect  of  the  late  destruction  of  the  last  year's  growth 
of  fruit  trees  ?  Will  it  not  be,  at  least,  the  procrastination  of 
fruit?  May  it  not  result  in  permanent  disease?  Will  it  not 
be  the  policy  of  those,  who  are  younger  than  I  am,  to  set 
about  planting  new  trees  ?  Why  should  they  be  discouraged  ? 
If  for  two  hundred  years  no  such  calamity  has  occurred,  why 
should  they  dread  its  recurrence  ?  No.  It  would  be  as  un- 
manly, as  it  would  be  irrational,  to  despond.  Pears,  apples, 
plums,  and  peaches  will  decorate  our  tables  ten  years  hence  in 
as  great  profusion  as  now.  Those  who  escape  the  evil  will 
obtain  greater  profits. — The  nursery  men,  though  immediate 
sufferers,  will  be  greater  gainers  in  the  end.  After  all,  we 
may  be  deceived  as  to  the  extent  of  our  losses.  Nature  is 
more  powerful  than  we  are  aware  of,  and  she  may  restore 
what  now  seems  to  be  irreparable. 

To  what  cause  is  this  extensive  destruction  to  be  attributed  } 
Most  certainly  not  to  the  extremity  of  the  cold.  The  trees  af- 
fected are  subjected  every  winter,  in  Holland,  Germany,  and 
Russia,  to  a  lower  state  of  the  thermometer.  To  what  then 
is  it  to  be  ascribed  ?  It  is  painful  to  be  obliged  to  offend  our 
national  pride  by  saying,  as  we  believe  to  be  the  Isct,  that  it  is 
owing  to  the  variations  of  our  climate — to  our  proximity  to  the 


LIVE  HEDGES  KOK  NEW  ENGLAND.  411 

Giilf-strcam,  wliicli,  within  twelve  hours,  throws  upon  us  the  tem- 
peiiiture  of  Si)ring  in  the  niidsi  of  winter.  Am  1  singular  in  this 
opini.')n  ?  By  no  means.  Writers  in  this  country,  and  in  Em-ope, 
of  great  intelligence,  have  long  smce  aitrihuted  the  destruction 
of  fruit  trees,  not  to  the  cold,  but  lo  the  occasional  heat  of 
winter.  I  have  many  important  facts  in  iny  possession,  to 
prove  this  to  be  true.  I  will  select  one  among  one  hundred. 
The  ivy  of  Great  Britain,  a  vivacious  |)lant,  will  stand,  has 
stood,  this  very  winter,  on  the  north  side  of  an  edifice,  while 
on  the  south  it  uniformly  perishes  to  the  ground. 

John  Lowell. 


LIVE  HEDGES  FOR  NEW  ENGLAND. 
It  is  not  ray  intention  to  recommend  live  hedges  for  this. 
rocky  part  of  the  United  States.  Our  own  stones  furnish  the 
best  divisions  we  could  ask  for  or  desire  ;  and  on  most  farmsy. 
the  removal  of  them  from  the  soil,  would  be  economical,  and 
the  placing  them  as  partitions  for  fields  is  the  cheapest  and  most 
natural  mode  of  disposing  of  them.  Still,  in  New  England, 
there  are  extensive  tracts  of  country,  of  alluvial  or  diluvial  soil, 
in  which  no  rocks  are  found,  and  in  which  a  stone  wall  could 
not  be  obtained  without  great  expense.  Such  is  the  stale  of 
the  greater  part  of  the  old  colony  below  Plymouth,  and  of  some 
parts  of  the  county  of  Middlesex.  But  wherever  wood  fences 
are  required,  it  may  be  useful  to  substitute  live  hedges.  The 
question  is,  what  has  been  our  experience  as  to  the  compara- 
tive value  of  the  various  plants  employed  in  New  England  for 
live  hedges?  In  the  remarks  which  follow, I  beg  it  may  be  un- 
derstood, that  I  do  not  intend  to  oppose  the  opinions  expressed 
by  a  learned  and  judicious  horticulturist,  Judge  Buel ;  nor  those 
expressed  by  practical  gentlemen  at  the  south  ;  but  simply  the 
results  of  my  own  personal  experience  and  observation,  during 
the  last  eighteen  years,  since  the  subject  of  live  hedges  attracted 
the  attention  of  our  cultivators.  Nothing  which  I  may  say  can 
in  any  degree  impeach  the  correctness  of  their  statements,  be- 


412  LIVE    HEDGES    FOR   NEW   ENGLAND. 

cause  ilie  causes  of  the  failure  of  certain  plants  with  us  may 
have  been  entirely /oca/.  This  would  not  appear  remarkal)le, 
when  we  consider  that  the  Locust,  [Rohinia  Pseud  acacia)  is 
absolutely  interdicted  to  us,  while  it  is  the  favorite,  and  one  of 
the  most  valuable  trees  of  the  south. 

Suffice  it  then  to  say,  that  ihe  Virginia  thorn,  introduced  here 
by  Mr  Qiiincy,  with  whom  it  appeared  to  succeed,  is,  in  most 
cases,  utterly  useless  as  a  fence.  This  is  chiefly  owing  to  the 
ravages  of  a  worm  at  its  root;  whether  it  be  the  same  which 
attacks  the  apple  and  the  quince,  is  a  point  not  settled.  The 
same  objection  is  applicable  to  the  English  hawthorn.  And 
to  this  fa  al  one,  is  superadded  another,  the  appearance  of  a 
fungus  of  a  yellow  colour  on  the  leaves,  which  utterly  disfigures 
them,  and  strips  them  of  their  foliage  in  September.  The 
Glediisia  triacanthos  is  not  suited  for  hedges  with  us.  If  left 
to  grow,  they  soon  grow  out  of  all  reach;  if  checked,  they  are 
winter-killed.  We  are  indebted  wholly,  and  entirely,  to  the  ex- 
periments of  Ezekiel  Hersey  Derby,  Esq.,  for  the  possession 
of  a  plant,  the  buckthorn  (Rhamnus  atharticus),  which,  from 
ten  years  trial,  seems  to  afford  every  desirable  quality  for  a 
healthy,  beautiful,  and  effectual  liedge.  We  refer  the  public 
to  Mr.  Derby's  account  in  the  New-England  Farmer,  for  par- 
ticulars. 

I  can  only  say,  and  I  feel  it  a  duty  to  say,  that  I  have  tried 
this  plant  for  six  years.  It  is  hardy,  and  rapid  in  its  growth 
• — of  impenetrable  thickness,  and  so  far  as  that  extent  of  experi- 
ment enables  me  to  judge,  not  subject  to  any  disease,  or  the 
visitation  of  any  insect  whatever.  As  it  is  very  provoking,  as 
well  as  expensive  to  cultivators,  to  be  led  astray,  and  to  find,  after 
five  or  ten  years,  that  they  have  been  deceived,  they  would  do 
well  to  examine  the  growing  hedges  of  the  buckthorn,  or  Rham- 
nus Catharticus,  at  Mr.  J)erby's,  Mr.  Brooks's,  Dr.  Jackson's, 
or  at  my  place.  John  Lowell. 


or  THE  ARACACHA.  413 


SOME  NOTICE  OF  THE  ARACACHA,  AND  OF  THE  LAUDABLE 
EFFORTS  TO  INTRODUCE  IT  INTO  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

To  the  Publishing   Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promot- 
ing Agriculture. 

Gentlemen, — As  the  first  attempt  to  introduce  this  valua- 
ble esculent  root  into  the  United  States,  as  an  object  of  gar- 
den, and  possibly  of  field  culture,  has  been  made  since  the  last 
number  of  your  journal  was  published,  it  seems  to  me,  that  it 
would  be  unpardonable  in  the  directors  of  your  journal  to 
omit  any  notice  oft  his  plant,  and  of  the  meritorious  efforts  to 
introduce  it  into  our  list  of  esculent  vegetables.  This  plant  is 
considered  in  the  new  South  American  State  of  Colombia. 
"  as  the  most  useful  of  all  the  edible  roots,  being  superior  to 
the  common  and  sweet  potatoes."  In  using  this  language,  I 
must  be  understood  to  quote  the  expression  of  those,  who  have 
tasted  it  in  its  native  country,  and  by  no  means  to  admit,  that 
much  of  this  preference,  and  of  its  reputation,  is  not  due  to 
the  prejudices  of  persons  who  do  not  see  the  Irish  potato  in 
perfection.  It  is  not  certain,  that  the  Aracacha,  could  it  be  raised 
in  perfection  in  the  United  States,  would  hold  as  high  a  rank 
here,  as  it  does  in  Colombia.  Still  there  can  be  no  question, 
that  it  is  a  very  pleasant  and  wholesome  vegetable,  and  if  sus- 
ceptible of  successful  and  profitable  culture  in  the  United 
States,  it  would  merit  great  attention.  It  has,  for  some  years 
past,  engaged  the  attention  of  European  cultivators,  rather  as 
a  desideratum,  than  as  an  object  of  decided  hope,  and  assured 
culture.  It  has  been  introduced  into  Jamaica  with,  as  it  is 
confidently  asserted,  perfect  success. 

Although  it  had  been  tried  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
the  indefatigable  proprietors  of  the  Flushing  Linnaean  Garden 
claim  the  merit  of  cultivating  it  with  perfect  success  for  sev- 
eral years  past,  yet  it  was  due  to  Gideon  B.  Smith,  Esq. 
editor  of  the  American  Farmer,  printed  at  Baltimore,  to  say, 
12 


414  OF    THE    ARACACHA. 

that  he  made  the  first  extensive  experiment  to  introduce  this 
plant  into  general  culture  in  the  United  States.  We  shall 
have  occasion  to  refer  to  the  experiments  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  Linnaean  Garden,  in  the  close  of  our  remarks. 

Mr.  Smith  is  unquestionably  entitled  to  the  merit,  and  it  is 
no  s  mall  one,  of  importing  this  plant,  on  a  great  scale,  not  for 
his  own  personal  benefit,  (for  he  seems  to  be  superior  to  any 
selfish  motives),  but  for  the  advantage  of  his  country.  He 
distributed  his  plants  most  liberally,  with  a  view  of  testing  their 
adaptation  to  the  various  sections  of  our  country.  While  he 
transmitted  a  reasonable  proportion  to  Massachusetts,  he,  at  the 
same  time,  judiciously  sent  a  share  of  them  to  South  Carolina. 
It  is  my  own  private  opinion,  that  if  they  shall  be  eventually 
found  to  flourish,  and  to  attain  a  solid  value,  it  will  be  in  the 
two  Carolinas,  Georgia,  Florida,  and  Louisiana.  The  reasons 
for  this  opinion,  besides  those  which  are  obvious,  1  shall  state 
hereafter.  The  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  did  me 
the  honor  to  transmit  three  plants  of  the  Aracacha  to  me,  pro- 
bably from  the  knowledge  that  1  feel  a  deep  interest  in  the  cause 
of  horticulture,  and  enjoy  a  great  and  unfeigned  delight  in  new 
experiments,  which  promise,  however  faintly,  the  improvement 
of  these  invaluable  arts.  I  tried  these  plants.  They  arrived 
in  the  best  possible  order.  They  were  in  the  highest  state  of 
health  and  vigor.  They  were  planted  in  excellent  soil — 
watched  with  the  greatest  care.  Their  growth  was  rapid, 
vigorous,  indicating  the  highest  state  of  health.  1  felt  assured, 
that  the  Aracacha  was  adapted  to  our  climate.  I  pointed  it 
out  as  a  successful  experiment.  Yet  suddenly,  without  frost, 
or  cold,  or  any  perceptible  cause,  the  leaves  perished.  Ten- 
derer plants,  plants  of  tropical  countries,  continued  to  flourish  ; 
but  these  failed.  I  could  only  indulge  in  loose  conjectures  as 
to  the  cause.  I  struck  upon  the  heavy  rains,  as  a  possible 
cause  ;  and  knowing  that  South  America  was  subject  to  severe 
and  long  continued  droughts,  perhaps  my  conjecture  was  not 
a  very  absurd  one.  Still  it  was  but  a  conjecture,  and  I  did 
not  value  it  much.     Long  and  repeated  experiments,  much  pa- 


OF    THE    ARACACHA.  415 

fience,  and  great  coolness,  are  required  to  the  acclimation  of 
plants — that  is,  in  introducing  into  new  climates  and  new  soils, 
plants  born  and  cultivated  under  others  essentially  diverse. 
Still,  as  a  person  entrusted  with  a  new  experiment,  or  a  plant 
entirely  new,  and  deemed  of  great  value,  a  report  from  me, 
of  my  own  experiment,  was  due  to  the  Society,  who  had  shown 
such  a  mark  of  its  confidence.  It  was  made, — the  failure  was 
detailed  at  large,  and  certain  loose  conjectures  or  suggestions 
were  made  as  to  the  causes  of  failure.  I  was  grieved,  when  I 
found  thatMr.  Smith,  whose  exertions  I  so  much  valued,  seemed 
to  consider  my  remarks,  as,  in  some  degree,  an  impeachment 
of  the  value  of  his  exertions.  Most  assuredly  no  such  intention 
existed.  I  considered  the  effort  which  he  had  made  as  en- 
tided  to  the  thanks  of  every  friend  of  horticulture  and  agri- 
culture. But  I  have  always  considered  it  as  solemn  a  duty  of 
every  cultivator,  to  announce  to  the  public  his  failures,  as  his 
successes.  1  have  thought,  after  thirty  years'  experience,  that 
more  evil  has  resulted  from  too  precipitate  recommendation  of 
new  plants,  and  new  processes  in  agriculture,  than  from  the 
opposite  defect — the  cautious,  even  incredulous  disposition  of 
cultivators  to  admit  new  and  manifest  improvements.  I  really 
believed  that  my  experiment  on  the  Aracacha  had  been  so  fair 
an  one,  and  the  season  was  so  favorable,  better  than  I  had 
known  for  twenty-five  years,  that  the  failure  must  be  attributed 
to  the  utter  incapability  of  our  soil  and  climate  to  mature  this 
plant.  Let  us  now  see,  how  far  the  evidence  before  the 
public  supports,  or  defeats  or  contradicts,  the  opinion  thus 
formed. 

In  the  first  place,  we  will  take  Mr.  Smith's  own  experi- 
ments, as  detailed  by  him  last  autumn.  We  are  promised  new 
particulars,  which  he  flatters  himself  will  show,  that  the  Ara- 
cacha may  be  raised  as  easily  as  the  parsnip — he  might  have 
said,  as  well  as  the  common  potato.  Now  what  was  his  suc- 
cess ?  Did  he  raise  one  bushel  fit  for  the  table  ?  If  so,  what 
was  the  quality  and  value  of  the  root  ?  Look,  then,  at  Mr. 
Legare's  minute  and  very  clear  and  intelligent  statement  of  his 


416  o'C    THE    ARACACttA. 

very  careful  and  cautious  experiments  ?  Did  he  raise  enough 
to  make  presents  to  his  friends  of  this  invaluable  root  ?  No. 
But  any  vegetable,  to  be  of  permanent  value,  should  at  last 
yield  eight  fold.  The  sweet  potato,  even  here,  yields  ordinarily 
twenty-five  fold,  or  one  bushel  yields  twenty-five.  The  Irish 
potato  yields  from  ten  to  fifteen  fold.  If,  then,  this  new  acqui- 
sition had  yielded  even  eight  fold, — and  if  it  did  not,  it  would 
not  merit  cultivation, — why  have  we  not  the  evidence  of  its 
goodness  and  abundance  for  the  table  ? — But,  says  Mr. 
Legare,  the  Chevalier  Soulange  Boudin  states  that  it  has 
been  cultivated  with  success  in  Montpelier  and  Geneva! 
Ah  !  is  this  so  ?  Could  the  potato  be  successfully  cultivat- 
ed in  Montpelier  and  Geneva,  and  not  be  soon  cultivated 
in  Paris,  if  its  products  are  sufficiently  ample  and  abundant 
to  render  it  an  object  of  profitable  culture  ?  This  fact  (if  it 
be  one),  makes  me  distrustful  of  the  probable  success  of  this 
plant.  But  the  most  discouraging  fact,  which  has  as  yet  at- 
tracted my  notice,  is  this.  When  I  stated  my  total  failure  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  Aracacha,  William  R.  Prince,  Esq.  im- 
mediately came  out  with  a  declaration,  that  their  establishment 
had  cultivated  the  Aracacha  without  difficulty  for  several  years 
past,  and  that  he  had  transmitted  many  plants  of  it,  raised  by 
them,  to  Europe.  If  this  be  so,  and  we  cannot  doubt  it,  it  is 
clear,  that  it  never  can  be  cultivated  with  success  as  a  common 
culinary  vegetable.  It  would  have  spread  before  this  time 
throughout  the  state  of  New  York.  I  knew  a  quantity  of  the 
common  potato  which  was  brought  from  Philadelphia  in  a  silk 
handkerchief,  and  in  two  years  I  received  a  barrel  of  it  for 
seed,  which  gave  me  nearly  fifty  busliels. 

Will  it  be  said,  that  the  Messrs.  Prince  reserved  every 
plant  for  profit,  and  could  not  spare  even  a  mess  for  the  Horti- 
cultural Society  of  New  York  to  test  its  value  in  our  climate  ? 
My  answer  is,  that  the  tuberous  part  of  the  root,  if  in  our  cli- 
mate it  ever  produces  any,  are  not  necessary  to  its  propagation. 
It  is  only  the  crown  and  eyes  which  are  employed.  You  may 
cut  off  the  edible  part,  as  in  the  Dahlia,  without  diminishing 
ts  powers  of  reproduction. 


OF    THE    ARACACHA.  417 

What  then,  it  may  be  asked,  are  your  views  upon  this  sub- 
ject ?  Would  you  discourage  the  experiment  ?  By  no  means. 
We  rejoice  that  Mr.  Smith  has  so  much  ardor  and  confidence. 
We  wish  we  had  a  little  of  it. — But  we  would  respectfully 
suggest  the  expediency  of  planting  some  of  the  roots  in  pots 
and  tubs,  and  placing  them  in  a  hot-house,  and  endeavouring 
to  raise  seeds  from  them.  Seeds  sown  here,  will  be  gradual- 
ly accustomed  to  our  climate,  and  may  become  hardy.  Plants 
raised  south  of  the  equator,  it  is  of  little  moment  whether  in 
a  high  or  low  latitude,  retain  for  a  long  time  their  natural  habits 
— that  is,  they  grow  in  our  winter,  and  perish  in  our  summers. 
This  is  so  true,  that  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  change  these 
habits  even  in  plants  which  are  now  common  to  both  hemis- 
pheres. 

I  will  state  one  remarkable  example.  I  received  the  golden 
potato  of  Peru,  very  celebrated  in  that  country.  Three  suc- 
cessive years  it  has  been  fully  and  fairly  tried  by  the  aid  of 
artificial  forcing,  and  every  advantage  of  location,  but  it  ob- 
stinately refuses  to  bend  its  habits  to  our  climate.  It  will 
start  either  in  the  fall,  or  if  put  in  the  hot-bed  in  April,  it  will 
not  produce  its  tubers  till  October.  I^have  often  reflected  upon 
the  curious  fact  that  the  potato  should  have  been' so  easily  ac- 
climated in  Europe,  when  we  now  cannot  acclimate  the  Peru- 
vian, or  even  the  California  potato,  both  of  which  I  have  tried 
for  three  successive  years.  My  explanation  of  it  is  this,  that 
the  potato  spread  by  slow  degrees  from  Chili  to  Virginia,  dur- 
ing a  period  of  perhaps  one  thousand  years,  and  became 
gradually  inured  to  a  northern  latitude.  It  is  clear,  that  the 
potato  never  was  found  in  a  wild  or  natural  state  in  North 
America,  and  yet  equally  clear,  that  it  was  transmitted  first 
from  Virginia  to  Europe. 

One  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts 

Society  for  promoting  Agriculture, 


418  OF    THE    ARA€ACHA. 


D'om  the  Southern  Agriculturist. 
RESULT    OF    AN    ATTEMPT    TO    CULTIVATE    THE    ARACACHA. 

It  is  known  to  the  readers  of  this  journal,  that  Mr.  Gideon 
B.  Smith,  of  Baltimore,  (editor  of  the  "  American  Farmer") 
imported  last  spring  from  Colombia  a  number  of  Aracacha  roots, 
which,  with  great  liberality,  he  distributed  in  different  sections 
of  the  United  States.  This  root  is  considered  in  Colombia  as 
"  the  most  useful  of  all  the  edible  roots,  being  superior  to  the 
common  and  sweet  potato,"  and  has  for  some  time  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  botanists  and  horticulturists  of  Europe,  and 
many  attempts  have  been  made  to  introduce  them  there,  as 
well  as  into  the  United  States.  These  have  generally  been 
unsuccessful ;  in  fact,  we  know  of  no  place  where  they  are 
cultivated  with  success  out  of  South-America,  except  some  of 
the  West-India  islands.  The  Chevalier  Soulange  Bodin  states, 
that  they  are  cultivated  in  the  botanical  garden  of  Montpelier, 
and  flourish  in  that  of  Geneva ; — but  whether  as  mere  objects  of 
curiosity,  or  are  so  acclimatised  as  to  become  useful,  we  are  not 
informed.  A  plant  may  be  cultivated  with  success  in  a  garden, 
where  proper  care  can  be  bestowed,  to  protect  from  cold  or 
shade  from  heat,  which  cannot  thrive  at  all  if  exposed  to  the 
vicissitudes  of  the  climate.  We  believe  no  attempt  to  accom- 
plish this  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  has  been  even  par- 
tially successful  until  the  present  year.  The  Aracacha  has  long 
been  on  the  catalogue  of  the  Linnaean  Botanic  Garden,  New- 
York,  and  we  obtained  from  thence,  in  1828,  four  roots. 
They  all  perished  during  the  first  summer : — being  absent  the 
whole  time,  we  know  not  to  what  cause  to  attribute  their  deaths. 
If  Mr.  Prince,  (the  proprietor  of  that  establishment)  has  been 
successful  in  their  culture  in  the  open  ground,  he  has  not  made 
it  known  to  the  world,  (at  least  we  have  never  heard  of  it) ;  we 
are  therefore  induced  to  believe  that  he  has  not,  especially  as, 
when  we  requested  information,  he  referred  us  to  an  article  pub- 


OF    THE    ARACACHA.  419 

lished  in  the  "  American  Farmer,"  relative  to  their  culture  in 
Jamaica.  The  efforts  now  made,  may  therefore  be  considered 
as  the  first  which  have  been  even  partiaDy  successful,  and  which 
have  been  made  public. 

Some  of  the  roots  were  sent  on  to  the  Massachusetts  Horti- 
cultural Society,  and  by  them  committed  to  one  of  their  mem- 
bers. He  has  reported  an  entire  failure,  and  expressed  an  opin- 
ion unfavourable  to  their  being  sufficiently  cllmatised  for  any 
useful  purpose,  if  at  all. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  state  the  result  of  our  attempt  to  cul- 
tivate them ;  and  as  this  plant  may  at  some  future  time  become 
of  importance  to  us,  we  hope  we  shall  be  pardoned  for  being 
minute  in  our  account.  It  will  be  interesting,  even  should  they 
never  become  objects  of  culture  with  us,  to  know  hereafter  that 
their  introduction  was  attempted,  and  what  was  the  result. 
Moreover,  publicity  being  given  to  all  these  experiments,  they 
will  serve  as  guides  to  those  who  may  wish  to  undertake  their 
culture. 

Early  in  March,  we  received  from  Mr.  Smith  fifteen  roots, 
which  we  had  planted  on  the  26th  in  the  following  localities. 
Four  roots  (marked  No.  1),  in  a  sandy  loam,  near  the  termina- 
tion of  a  gentle  declivity.  This  was  chosen  in  order  that  they 
might  not  suffer  from  our  spring  droughts.  They  were  guarded 
from  an  excess  of  moisture,  by  having  a  ditch  cut  within  a  few 
feet  of  them.  The  balance  were  planted  in  a  garden,  the  cor- 
ners of  which  pointed  to  the  north,  east,  south,  and  west. 
Three  roots  (No.  2),  were  planted  in  the  northern  corner,  near  to 
a  paling  fence,  and  were  protected  on  the  north-east  and  north- 
west by  it,  and  which  afforded  a  shade  to  the  plants  in  the  af- 
ternoon from  about  three  o'clock ;  the  rest  of  the  day  they  were 
fully  exposed.  Four  roots  (No.  3),  were  planted  in  the  south- 
ern corner,  and  were  greatly  protected  from  the  sun,  by  a  house 
to  the  south,  a  close  paling  fence  to  the  east,  and  a  large  peach 
tree  to  the  west,  in  consequence  of  which,  at  no  time  were  they 
long  exposed  to  the  sun.  Being  perfectly  open  to  the  north, 
and  with  nothing  overtopping,  these  plants  enjoyed  as  cool   and 


420  OF    THE    ARACACHA. 

as  favorable  a  situation  as  the  climate  would  admit  of.  Two 
others  (No.  4),  were  planted  in  the  middle  of  the  garden; — the 
soil  of  the  whole  garden  was  light  and  sandy.  A  compost  of 
equal  quantities  of  well-rotted  stable  and  cow-pen  manure  was 
used. 

When  planted,  most  of  them  had  commenced  vegetating,  and 
on  4th  of  April  they  were  above  ground,  with  leaves  fully  expand- 
ed. The  month  of  April  was  exceedingly  cool  and  rainy,  whilst 
May,  on  the  contrary,  was  excessively  dry,  more  so  than  we 
ever  recollect  it  to  have  been  so  early  in  the  season.  On  our 
farm,  where  these  roots  were  planted,  the  drought  was  so  se- 
vere, that  many  vegetables  in  the  garden  perished  for  want  of 
moisture,  and  many  which  we  consider  as  best  able  to  withstand 
such  seasons,  were  so  injured  as  not  to  recover  their  vigour  du- 
ring the  whole  season.  The  month  of  May,  although  dry,  was 
generally  cool ;  there  were,  however,  some  very  warm  days,, 
during  which  the  leaves  of  all  vegetables  were  more  or  less 
wilted.  During  this  trying  season,  the  Aracacha  were  most  lux- 
uriant in  their  growth,  and  progressed  rapidly,  apparently  to- 
tally unaffected  by  either  heat  or  drought.  There  was  very 
little  if  any  difference  of  growth  between  the  different  plants. 
They  continued  to  promise  well  until  the  middle  of  June,  when 
we  had  some  unusually  high  tides,  which  overflowed  places  not 
subject  to  inundation  even  in  gales.  These  tides  did  us  some 
mjury ;  and  though  they  did  not  overflow  the  bed  on  which  No.  1 
was  planted,  yet  they  penetrated  into  the  adjacent  ditch,  the 
consequence  of  which  was  that  one  of  the  plants  soon  perished. 
Soon  after,  there  occurred  heavy  falls  of  rain,  and  all  of  these 
perished. 

The  year  1831  has,  in  the  lower  part  of  this  State,  been  re- 
markable for  the  alternations  of  drought  and  heavy  falls  of  rain. 
The  winter  had  been  unusually  severe  and  rainy ;  the  last  of 
February  and  March  was,  however,  mild,  and  not  more  rain  fell 
than  was  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  vegetation.  On  the  16th 
April  there  occurred  a  most  tremendous  fall  of  rain,  accompanied 
with  much  cold.     During  the  month  of  May  there  fell  but  one 


OF    THE    ARACACHA.  421 

shower,*  and  vegetation  suffered  much,  as  before  noticed. 
From  the  middle  of  June  to  the  middle  of  July,  there  was 
scarcely  a  day  during  which  it  did  not  rain,  and  for  many  days, 
violently.  From  the  16th  July  to  the  9th  August  we  had  no 
rain  :  the  remainder  of  August  and  September  were  rainy, 
whilst  October  was  just  enough  so  for  the  purposes  of  vegeta- 
tion. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  statement,  that  contrary  to 
the  usual  course  of  the  seasons,  we  had  alternations  of  droughts 
and  inundations  in  constant  succession,  and  with  scarce  any  in- 
termediate stages  ;  for  from  the  time  it  ceased  raining,  it  very 
often  happened  that  not  a  shower  fell  again  until  the  next  deluge. 
These  vicissitudes  were  extremely  unfavourable  to  all  garden 
crops,  and  it  could  scarcely  be  expected  that  plants  which 
were  cultivated  here  for  the  first  time  could  prosper,  when 
those  long  habituated  to  the  climate  perished.  Notwithstand- 
ing, however,  the  Aracacha  grew  well  until  July,  when  there 
was  an  evident  decline,  and  which  was  most  perceptible  after  the 
heavy  lalls  of  rain,  which  commenced  in  June : — by  the  6th  Au- 
gust all  on  the  low  grounds  had  died,  as  well  as  one  of  those  in 
the  centre  of  the  garden.  By  the  middle  of  September  all  in  the 
garden  perished,  except  those  in  the  southern  corner,  which 
were  protected  from  the  influence  of  the  sun  by  the  house,  &tc. 
These  plants  were  not  exposed,  we  believe,  to  the  direct  rays 
of  the  sun  more  than  three  or  four  hours  during  the  day,  if  so 
long,  and  from  their  situation  the  ground  must  have  been  as 
cool  as  it  was  possible  for  it  to  be  during  summer. 

These  plants  grew,  as  vigorously  in  the  early  part  of  the  sea- 
son as  any  of  the  others,  especially  during  the  dry  weather, 
but  appeared  to  suffer  much  less  from  excessive  moisture. 
During  the  months  of  July,  August,  and  the  commencement 
of  September,  they  remained  stationary,  perhaps  on  the  de- 
cline;  not  one  of  them,  however,  died.  Towards  the  last  of 
September  there  was  an  evident  renovation.     The  old  leaves, 

*  These  remarks  are,  of  course,  applicable  only  to  our  farm  and  its  im- 
mediate neighborhood. 

13 


422  OF    THE    ARACACHA. 

which  before  had  a  sickly  hue,  recovered  their  heahhy  appear 
ance,  and  there  was  a  vigorous  growth  of  young  shoots  and 
leaves.  From  this  time,  until  killed  by  a  frost  in  the 
middle  of  November,  they  were  far  more  luxuriant  than  we 
had  ever  before  seen  them.  During  the  summer  we  could  not 
find  more  than  five  shoots.  On  a  root  we  have  taken  up  since 
the  tops  were  killed,  we  have  found  sixteen  large  and  distinct 
shoots,  and  a  large  number  of  smaller  ones  growing  from  these, 
with  innumerable  embryos  and  eyes,  which  in  a  short  time 
would  have  astonishingly  multiplied  the  product  of  the  plant. 

It  perhaps  will  be  expected  that  we  should  give  an  opinion 
relative  to  this  plant's  being  climatised,  and  its  value.  We 
cannot  from  this  solitary  experiment  venture  to  give  the  least 
opinion.  We  have  stated  the  facts  as  they  were  noted  down 
at  the  time,  and  it  will  remain  for  each  to  form  an  opinion  for 
himself.  All  of  the  plants  flourished  remarkably  well  during 
the  early  part  of  the  season,  and  whilst  it  continued  dry,  but 
perished  as  soon  as  the  heavy  rains  set  in  (except  those  noted). 
From  this  we  conclude  that  heat  is  not  so  injurious  to  them  as 
much  moisture,  and  perhaps  it  was  both  combined  which  pro- 
duced the  result.  Over  many  I  had  scaffolds  erected  from 
three  to  four  feet  high,  sufficient  to  shade  them  from  the  mid- 
day, but  open  to  the  morning  and  evening  sun,  also  enjoying  a 
free  circulation  of  air.  Some  were  thus  protected  from  the 
commencement,  whilst  others  received  it  at  a  much  later  pe- 
riod. I  found  these  of  no  avail.  On  examining  those  which 
perished,  I  found  invariably  that  the  lower  parts  of  the  original 
plants  rotted  first.  The  crown  (from  whence  issued  the  shoots) 
continued  alive  much  longer,  and  the  leaves  and  the  young 
shoots  remained  of  a  good  colour,  some  time  after  decay  had 
commenced.  They  appeared  to  thrive  best  in  moderately 
cool  weather,  and  were  not  affected  by  such  frost  as  killed  to- 
matos  and  other  tender  vegetables  ; — their  situation,  perhaps, 
may  have  aided  in  protecting  them.  We  wish  much  that  we 
had  given  these  plants  some  protection  during  the  winter ;  a 
very  slight  one  we  believe  would   have  answered.     Had  we 


i 


OF    THE    ARACACHA.  423 

done  so,  we  doubt  not  but  that  we  would  have  been  the  first  to 
have  eaten  of  the  matured  Aracacha  root,  in  this  State  at  least, 
if  not  in  the  United  States.  As  it  is,  we  have  partaken  of  one, 
though  perhaps  not  in  perfection. 

This  plant  grows  differently  from  any  we  have  ever  noticed. 
We  were  led  to  believe,  from  the  statements  we  have  read, 
that  it  produced  roots  resembling  a  cow^s  horn  in  shape,  and 
that  these  were  the  parts  eaten ;  but  if  so,  our's  have  failed  al- 
together in  this  respect.  We  are  inclined  to  think,  however, 
that  these  statements  are  erroneous.  Tlie  tuber,  off-set,  (or 
whatever  it  may  be  termed)  which  is  used  for  propagation,  re- 
sembles somewhat  the  arrow-root,  and  like  it  possesses  several 
eyes  ;  these  are  principally  near  the  crown.  At  the  base,  or 
part  where  it  is  separated  from  the  original  plant,  it  produces 
a  number  of  fibrous  roots,  and  from  no  other  part  of  the  plant 
have  we  observed  the  least  appearance  of  any.  On  examina- 
tion, we  have  found  none  of  these  exceeding  one-eighth  of  an 
inch  in  diameter,  but  generally  not  half  that  size.  The  growth 
is  altogether  upwards.  From  the  crown,  shoot,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, several  single  leaves,  each  indicating  where  will  be  a 
tuber ;  from  the  centre  of  the  foot-stalks  of  these  leaves  arise 
others  in  succession,  which  were  enveloped  by  those  preced- 
ing— for  the  plant  is  indigenous  ;  in  the  course  of  time  tubers 
are  formed,  which  again  produce  others  from  their  sides,  thus 
forming  a  very  large  cluster  on  the  top  of  the  original  plant, 
which  does  not  increase  proportionably  in  size.  One  of  those 
which  we  have  recently  examined,  and  which  was  about  two 
inches  in  length  and  one  in  diameter  when  planted,  lias  increas- 
ed only  to  four  in  length  and  one  and  a  half  in  diameter,  whilst 
at  the  same  time  it  has  produced  sixteen  shoots  or  tubers,  va- 
rying from  three-fourths  of  an  inch  to  three  inches  in  length. 
It  was  the  original  stem  (or  plant)after  being  divested  of  all  the 
young  tubers,  that  we  had  cooked  ;  we  found  it  extremely  ten- 
der, very  delicate,  a  little  mealy,  and  having  the  flavour  of  the 
Irish  potato  and  celery  combined.     Whether  such  is  the  taste 


424  OF    THE    ARACACHA. 

of  the  young  tubers  when  in  perfection,  we  hope  to  determine 
in  the  course  of  the  present  year. 

A  part  of  our  plants  we  took  up  soon  after  their  tops  were 
killed  by  the  frost ;  two  of  these  we  separated  (the  young 
tubers  from  the  parent,  and  from  each  other),  and  one  we  left 
entire  as  taken  from  the  ground ;  these  were  packed  away  in 
dry  sand,  and  placed  in  a  potato  cellar.  One  plant  we  per- 
mitted to  remain  untouched  in  the  open  ground,  merely  draw- 
ing a  little  earth  over  the  crown  to  protect  it  from  frost.  On 
examining  these  plants  to-day,  (Jan.  17,  1832,)  we  find  that 
the  one  left  in  the  open  ground,  has  shot  out  several  leaves, 
which  will  in  a  few  days  protrude  through  their  covering.  The 
plant  which  had  been  left  entire  and  packed  away  in  sand,  has 
also  commenced  shooting.  Those  which  were  first  separated 
and  then  packed  away,  remain  as  at  first.  We  have  separated 
the  tubers  from  the  one  which  was  entire,  and  planted  a  part 
out ;  the  remainder  we  shall  preserve  for  future  use.  From 
what  we  have  seen  of  their  growth,  it  appears  to  us  that  it 
would  be  advantageous  to  earth  them  up.  This  we  shall  try 
with  some,  whilst  others  shall  be  left  undisturbed.  We  will 
vary  our  experiments  as  much  as  possible,  and  endeavor  to 
ascertain,  in  the  course  of  the  approaching  season,  what  proba- 
bility there  is  of  the  Aracacha  ever  becoming  of  value  to  us. 
Should  it  become  so  climatised  as  to  be  cultivated  in  the  open 
ground  freely,  it  cannot  fail  to  be  of  immense  value  ;  its  pres- 
ent indications  are  that  it  will  prove  very  productive.  From 
some  interesting  particulars  respecting  this  plant,  we  refer  our 
readers  to  the  article  from  the  pen  of  Gen.  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn, 
vol.  iv.  p.  322. 


1 


ON    IMPORTED    STOCK.  425 


IMPORTED  STOCK. 


To  the  Publishing  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  promoting 
Agriculture. 

Boston,  March  22,  1832. 

Gentlemen, — It  is  certainly  to  be  regretted  that  some  re- 
spectable farmers  show  a  disposition  not  only  to  indulge  preju- 
dices against  the  imported  breeds  of  cattle,  but  to  excite 
these  impressions  on  the  minds  of  others.  They  appeal  to  a 
popular  feeling,  and  a  very  natural  one,  which  too  easily  besets 
us,  "  our  own  superiority."  "  The  true  worth  of  our  an- 
cient breed,"  says  one,  "  as  to  their  competition,  is  much 
neglected."  Again — "  our  old  accustomed  breeds  are  unno- 
ticed." In  the  most  approved  practices  of  breeding  of  stock, 
perhaps  no  better  reason  need  be  given,  for  a  change,  than  this 
very  fact,  that  it  is  our  old  accustomed  breed  on  which  a  cross 
would  be  beneficial  for  that  cause  only.  As  the  disadvan- 
tage of  breeding  "  in  and  in"  for  a  length  of  time,  has  been 
long  admitted,  the  principle  of  a  change  of  breed,  or  cross, 
by  judicious  selections,  has,  it  is  believed,  induced  almost  uni- 
versal assent  and  practice. 

Some  contend  that  a  given  weight  may  be  placed  on  any 
part  of  animals,  to  correct  a  deficiency  ;  and  others,  that 
every  disposition  and  property  may  be  improved  by  a  skilful 
observation  and  practice  herein.  The  attention  of  agricultu- 
rists in  Europe,  has  been  for  the  greater  part  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, engaged  in  this  process.  In  England  more  especially,  if 
we  can  believe  all  we  see — or  all  we  hear — or  any  part  of  it — 
animals  of  extraordinary  production,  as  well  as  those  of  great 
beauty,  size  and  power,  with  a  favorable  disposition  to  fatten, 
have  been  brought  to  view.  Instances  might  be  here  quoted, 
but  they  are  too  well  known  to  need  it !  Wherever,  in  any 
country,  a  judicious  selection  of  stock  has  been  in  careful  con- 
tinued practice,  we  must  shut  our  eyes  and  seal  up  our  senses 
not  to  perceive  the  beneficial  result.      And  why  should  we 


426  ON    IMPORTED    STOCK. 

doubt  our  power  in  this  particular  ?  It  seems  the  all-wise  in- 
tention in  our  condition,  that  we  should  cultivate  and  improve 
every  thing  about  us  !  And  do  we  not  so  do  ?  How  is  it  with 
the  horse,  and  various  other  animals  ?  Are  they  not  bred  and 
reared,  for  various  uses,  by  careful  selection  and  attention  ?  And 
why  should  we  easily  and  indolently  admit  that  nothing  is  to  be 
effected  in  our  cattle,  forming,  as  they  do,  the  great  sources 
of  our  comfort  and  support  ? 

But  though  our  efforts,  in  this  country,  may  have  been  less 
strenuous  and  uniform — and  for  a  shorter  period  of  time — 
still  we  do  not  want  proofs  of  what  may  be  done  at  home. 
Our  cattle  are  susceptible  of  improvement,  as  the  Sutton  race 
will  show.  Those  who  most  dislike  the  imported  breed,  tell  of 
some  native  stock  in  their  neighborhood  which  is  superior. — 
Be  it  so  !  Our  stock  was  mostly  derived  from  Great  Britain, 
and  is  doubtless  as  capable  of  improvement. 

All  that  is  to  be  said,  is  that  when  that  which  time  only  can 
produce  has  for  nearly  a  century  been  in  careful  progression, 
a  prudent  consideration  will  avail  of  the  advantage. 

It  is  further  complained,  ''that  much  is  said  of  the  imported, 
and  little  or  nothing  of  our  native  stock."  If  this  alludes  to 
any  general  expression  or  opinion,  it  will  have  its  due  weight, 
and  no  more.  But  the  object  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultu- 
ral Society  has  been,  to  promote  a  judicious  selection,  as  the 
great  thing  necessary, — and  so  their  committees  have  uni- 
formly urged.  The  premiums  on  milch  animals  have  been  mostl}' 
given  to  native  stock,  it  is  believed — some  to  the  imported  breed, 
to  be  sure, — the  far  greater  number  of  the  former  makes  this 
natural.  In  many  cases  the  richness  of  the  milk,  in  the  im- 
ported breed,  has  been  remarkable — and  their  general  size,  pro- 
portion and  beauty,  has  been  thought  to  exceed  our  old  races. 

The  disappointment  of  a  farmer,  who  has  paid  a  large  price 
for  an  animal  (as  has  occurred)  that  has  long  legs,  and  "  a  bag 
that  is  difficult  to  be  found,"  is  to  be  regretted, — but  these 
things  will  sometimes  happen.  But  it  is  earnestly  contended  for 
in  Europe,  and  by  many  here,  that  where  there  has  been  a  long 


ON    IMPORTED    STOCK.  427 

transmission  of  improved  blood  in  stock,  this  occurs  much  more 
rarely ! 

The  improved  short^horns  are  not  generally  esteemed  a 
long-legged  race — many  of  them  are  great  milkers — though 
for  this  property  they  are  thought  by  some  to  have  too  great  a 
tendency  to  become  fat.  By  this  facility  they  often  disappoint 
those  who  wish  to  increase  their  breed.  This  disposition  to 
fatten  is  so  felt  in  England,  that,  at  their  Smithfield  cattle-show 
last  year,  it  was  proudly  said,  "  Foreigners  may  boast  of  their 
sunny  climes, — of  the  spontaneous  produce  of  their  soil, — of 
their  grapes,  and  their  wine,  and  their  olive  yards, — but  no 
land  but  England  can  so  beast  of  their  Fat  Cattle  Show." 

The  object  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  is  to  encourage  whatever  is  connected  with  the 
great  staples  of  the  country — not  to  write  down  one  race  of 
cattle,  and  set  up  another.  Whatever  means  are  at  hand,  let 
them  be  made  use  of.  But  if  others,  and  superior,  can  be  had 
from  abroad — brought  home,  and  used  to  greater  advantage, 
let  us  not  be  too  steadfast  in  our  old  habits  and  practices,  lest 
we  should  perceive,  too  late,  that  we  have  stood  still  whilst  others 
have  advanced. 

As  connected  with  this  subject,  and  likely  to  afford  some 
interest  to  a  portion  of  your  readers,  I  subjoin  an  extract  from 
the  British  Yeoman  and  Rural  Gazette,  lately  sent  me,  which 
contains  the  award  of  the  prizes  at  the  Smithfield  Cattle  Show 
of  1831.  The  genealogy,  mode  of  feed,  &tc.,  are  given.  It 
will  therein  be  perceived  that  the  breed  of  the  prize  ox  is 
traced  through  Comet  back  to  Hubbuck,  the  reputed  source 
of  great  production,  from  which  we  have  Denton,  Admiral, 
Wye,  Comet,  and  others  of  the  improved  short-horn  breed 
of  cattle.  I  am  yours, 

John  Welles. 


428  -    SMITHPIELD    CATTLE    SHOW. 


SMITHFIELD  CATTLE  SHOW. 

From  the  British  Yeoman  and  Rural  Gazette  of  January  "ith,  1832. 

We  went  to  the  Show  and  were  much  gratified  !  Foreign- 
ers may  boast  of  their  sunny  climes — of  the  spontaneous 
produce  of  their  soil — of  their  pomegranates,  their  grapes, 
and  their  wine,  and  their  olive  yards ;  but,  after  all,  no  land 
but  England  can  boast  of  their/a^  cattle  shows.  It  is  only  here 
that  such  a  thing  is  known.  France  and  Spain  for  wines; 
Holland  for  tulips  and  bulbous  roots ;  Russia  for  its  tallow,  and 
Peru  for  its  gold  ;  but  only  old  England  for  fat  cattle  ! 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  prizes  awarded  : — Lord 
Brownlow's  ox  is  a  most  beautiful  docile  creature,  and  is,  in- 
dependent of  his  great  size  and  weight,  a  perfect  picture,  being 
wholly  white,  and  that  like  snow.  There  were  beautiful  spe- 
cimens of  the  South  Down  sheep,  bred  by  Mr.  EUman,  and 
his  Grace  the  Dukeof  Richmond  ;  but  the  following  are  what 
the  judges  deem  best. 

The  award  of  the  prizes  of  the  Smithfield  Club  were,  as 
delivered  at  the  annual  dinner  by  Lord  Althorp,  as  follow  : — 

OXEN. 

A  prize  of  20  sovereigns,  to  Earl  Brownlow,  for  his  4  year 
and  7  months  old  Durham  ox  ;  bred  by  him  ;  a  silver  medal 
as  the  breeder  of  the  same  ;  and  a  gold  medal,  for  the  best 
beast  shown. 

First  prize  of  20  sovereigns,  to  Jas.  T.  Senior,  Esq.,  for  his 
4  year  and  10^^  months  old  Hereford  ox  ;  bred  by  Mr.  John 
White  ;  and  a  silver  medal,  as  the  breeder  of  the  same,  to  Mr. 
John  White. 

Second  prize  of  10  sovereigns,  to  Messrs.  Edward  and  Chas. 
Marfleet,  for  their  3  year  and  1 1  months  old  Durham^ox  ;  bred 
by  them. 

First  prize  of  15  sovereigns,  to  Mr.  John  Slater,  for  his  4 
years  and  3  months  old  Hereford  ox  ;  bred  by  Mr.  Dobson  ; 
and  a  silver  medal,  as  the  breeder  ofthesame,  to  Mr.  Dobson. 


SMITHFIELD    CATTLE    SHOW.  429 

Second  prize  of  ten  sovereigns  to  William  Smith,  Esq.,  for 
his  3  year  and  4  months  old  improved  short-horned  ox  ;  bred  by 
himself 

First  prize  often  sovereigns  to  Mr.  Richard  Kitelee,  for  his 
3  year  and  six  months  old  Hereford  ox  ;  bred  by  Mr.  Walford; 
and  a  silver  medal,  as  the  breeder  of  the  same,  to  Mr.  Walford. 

Second  prize  of  five  sovereigns  to  James  T.  Senior,  Esq. 
for  his  3  year  and  2  months  Hereford  ox  ;  bred  by  Samuel 
Peploe,  Esq. 

Prize  of  fifteen  sovereigns  to  Lord  Viscount  Althorp,  for  his 
7  year  and  3  months  old  Durham  cow  ;  bred  by  Earl  Spencer  ; 
and  silver  medal,  as  the  breeder  of  the  same,  to  Earl  Spencer. 

Prize  often  sovereigns  to  Charles  Stokes,  for  his  4  year  and 
2  months  improved  short-horned  heifer  ;  bred  by  himself;  and 
a  silver  medal  as  the  breeder  of  the  same. 

SHEEP. 

First  prize  of  ten  sovereigns  to  Mr.  W.  Pawlett,  for  his  three 
20  months  old  Leicester  wethers,  bred  by  himself;  and  a  sil- 
ver medal  as  the  breeder  of  the  same. 

Second  prize  of  five  sovereigns  to  Lord  Viscount  Althorp, 
for  his  three  21  months    old  Leicester  wethers,  bred  by  him. 

Prize  of  ten  sovereigns  to  Mr.  Charles  Stokes,  for  his  three 
32  months  old  Leicester  wethers,  bred  by  himself;  a  silver 
medal  as  the  breeder  ;  and  a  gold  medal  for  the  best  pen  of 
sheep. 

First  prize  often  sovereigns  to  Sir  Percival  H.  Dyke,  Bart. 
for  his  three  20  months  old  South  Down  ;  bred  by  Sir  Thomas 
Dyke  ;  and  a  silver  medal  as  the  breeder. 

Second  prize  of  five  sovereigns  to  Mr.  Thomas  Ellman,  for 
his  20  months   old  South  Downs.     Bred  by  himself 

Prize  of  ten  sovereigns  to  Mr.  Stephen  Grantham,  for  his 
32  months  old  South  Downs.  Bred  by  himself;  and  a  silver 
medal  as  the  breeder. 

PIGS. 

First  prize  of  ten  sovereigns  to  Thomas  French,  Esq.,  for 
his  three  32  weeks  old  Essex  pigs  ;    bred  by   himself,  and  a 
silver  medal  as  the  breeder. 
14 


430  sMrrHFiELD  cattle  show. 

Second  prize  of  five  sovereigns  to  Messrs.  Borrowdale  and 
Taylor,  for  their  three  34  weeks  old  Neapolitan  and  Essex 
pigs  ;  bred  by  Mr.  Taylor. 

EXTRA    STOCK. 

A  silver  medal  to  Mr.  John  Freestone,  for  the  best  long- 
wooled  sheep. 

A  silver  medal  to  Mr.  Stephen  Grantham,  for  the  best  short- 
wooled  sheep. 

A  silver  medal  to  Thomas  French,  Esq.,  for  the  best  pig. 

The  white  Durham  ox  was  calved  in  1827 — he  was  taken 
from  the  cows  at  three  days  old,  and  then  kept  on  linseed  porridge 
and  hay  for  that  summer,  hay  and  water  the  following  winter. 
In  the  year  1828  he  was  summered  in  his  lordship's  park,  the 
following  winter  he  was  put  out  to  keeping  on  barley  and  oat- 
straw  for  twenty  weeks.  In  1829  he  was  summered  in  his 
lordship's  park  ;  he  was  kept  on  straw  the  following  winter  till 
the  first  week  in  January,  1830  ;  he  was  then  put  into  a  loose 
box,  and  kept  on  mangel  wurtzel  and  hay  for  some  months,  when 
he  was  allowed  a  small  quantity  of  oil-cake  daily  ;  thus  he  con- 
tinued till  the  first  of  August,  1831  ;  from  that  time  he  has  been 
fed  on  Swedish  turnips,  carrots,  and  oil-cake — 1460  lbs. 

He  was  got  by  Cavalier,  Cavalier  by  Blucher  ;  dam  Coun- 
tess, by  Brampton  ;  grandam  young  Charlotte,  by  Wellington  ; 
great  grandam  Old  Charlotte,  by  Comet  ;  great  great  grandam 
CathlinCj  out  of  a  daughter  of  the  dam  of  Phoenix,  by  Washing  ; 
Blucher,  by  Jobling's  Wellington,  now  Rockingham  ;  dam  by 
Mr.  Charles  CoUing's  North  Star,  by  own  brother  to  Comet  ; 
Wellington,  by  the  late  Robert  Colling's  Miner,  dam  by  Phe- 
nomenon, grandam  by  Colonel,  great  grandam  by  a  son  of  Hub- 
back's. 

The  dam  of  the  white  ox  was  bought  of  Mr.  Heb,  out  of  the 
North,  of  the  true  Durham  breed. 


CATTLE  SHOW, 
EXHIBITION  OF  MANUFACTURES, 

PLOUGHING   MATCH, 

AND 

PUBLIC  SALE  OF  ANIMALS  AND  MANUFACTURES, 
AT  BRIGHTON,  (MASS.) 
ON   WEDNESDAY,    OCTOBER   17,   1832. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  promotion  of  Ag- 
riculture, encouraged  by  the  patronage  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State, 
intend  to  offer  in  premiums,  not  only  the  sum  granted  by  the  Govern- 
ment for  that  purpose,  but  also  the  whole  amount  of  the  income  of  their 
own  funds.  They  therefore  announce  to  the  public  their  intention  to 
have  a  Cattle  Show  and  Exhibition  of  Manufactures,  &c.  at  Brighton, 
on  Wednesday,  Oct.  17,  1832.  The  whole  business  to  be  transacted 
in  one  day.     The  following  premiums  are  offered  : — 

FOK    STOCK. 

For  the  best  Bull,  above  one  year  old    - 
For  the  next  best,  do.         -         -         - 

For  the  best  Bull  Calf,  from  five  to  twelve 

months  old  _____ 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  next   best,  do.  do. 

For  the  best  Cow,  not  less  than  three  years  old 
For  the  next   best,  do.  do. 

For    the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  best  Heifer  (having  had  a  calf) 
For  the  next  best,  do. 

For  the  next  best,  do.         -         -         _ 

The  Bulls,  Cows,   and  Milch  Heifers,  for  which 

premiums  are  awarded,  to  be  kept  at  least  one 

year  thereafter  within  the  State. 
For  the  best  Heifer  (not  having  had  a  calf)     -  12  00 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  10  00 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  8  00 


$20 

00 

10 

00 

10 

00 

8 

00 

5 

00 

25 

00 

15 

00 

10 

00 

15 

00 

10 

00 

5 

00 

For  the  next  best, 

do. 

do. 

For  the  next   best, 

do. 

do. 

For  the  best  Sow 

- 

- 

For  the  next  best 

- 

- 

For  the  next   best 

- 

- 

25 

00 

20 

00 

10 

00 

25 

00 

20 

00 

15 

00 

12 

00 

8 

00 

20 

00 

20 

00 

20 

00 

20 

00 

432  PREMIUM    LIST. 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do.  -  $6  00 

For  the  best  Ox  fitted  for  slaughter,  regard  to 
be  had  to,  and  a  particular  statement  to  be  giv- 
en of,  the  mode  and  expense  of  fatting 
For  the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  best  pair  of  Working  Oxen 
For  the  next  best,  do. 

For  the  next  best,  do. 

For  the  next  best,  do. 

For  the  next  best,  do. 

[JVb  oxen  to  be  admitted  to  tried  as  working  oxen,  un- 
der four  years  old.] 
For  the  best  Dishley  Ram  _         _         _ 

For  the   best      do.      Ewe  .         _         _ 

For  the  best  South  Down  Ram     -         -         - 
For  the  best         do.         Ewe      -         -         - 
The  above  premiums  will  be  awarded  on  Sheep  either 
imported  or  raised  in  the  State  ;  but  the  persons  re- 
ceiving the  premiums  are  to  enter  into  obligation  to 
keep  the  same  within  the  State,  for  breeding. 
For  the  best  Boar,  not  exceeding  two  years  old  12  00 

8  00 
5  00 
12  00 
8  00 
5  00 

To  be  kept  one  year  thereafter  for  breeding,  by  the 
persons  receiving  the  premiums. 

For  the  best  Pigs,  not  less  than  two  in  number, 
nor  less  than  four  months  old,  nor  more  than 
eight  -         -         -         -         r-         .  10  00 

For  the  next    best,  do.  do.         '-  5  00 

None  of  the  above  animals,  except  Sheep,  as  above  speci- 
fied, will  be  entitled  to  premiums,  unless  they  are  wholly 
bred  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

An/  of  the  above  Stock,  when  raised  and  still  pwnecj  at 


PREMIUM    LIST.  433 

the  time  of  the  exhibition  by  the  person  who  raised  them, 
will  entitle  the  claimant  to  an  allowance  of  ten  per  cent,  in 
addition. 

No  animal,  for  which  to  any  owner  one  premium  shall 
have  been  awarded,  shall  be  considered  a  subject  for  any 
future  premium  of  the  Society,  except  it  be  for  an  entirely 
distinct  premium,  and  for  qualities  different  from  those  for 
which  the  former  premium  was  awarded.  Any  animal  which 
shall  have  obtained  a  premium  as  a  Milch  Heifer,  shall  not  af- 
terwards he  entered  for  premium  as  a  Milch  Cow. 

BUTTER    AND    CHEESE. 

For  the  best  Butter,  not  less  than  fifty  pounds 

For   the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  best  Cheese,  not  less  than  one  year  old, 
and  not  less  in  quantity  than  100  pounds 

For  the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  best  Cheese,  less  than  one  year  old, 

and  not  less  in  quantity  than  100  pounds 
•  For  the  next  best,  do.  do. 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Butter  and  Cheese, 
made  between  the  15th  of  May  and  the  1st  of 
October,  from  not  less  than  four  cows ;  the 
quantity  of  Butter  and  Cheese  and  the  num- 
ber of  cows  to  be  taken  jnto  consideration, 
and  specimens  to  be  exhibited  at  the  Show, 
of  not  less  than  20  pounds  of  each,  and  the 
mode  of  feeding,  if  anything  besides  pasture 
is  used -  20  00 

Besides  the  above  premiums  for  Butter  and  Cheese,  the 
Trustees  will  award  the  following  in  the  month  of  December: — 
For  the  best  lot,    in  tubs,    pots,  or  firkins,  not 

less  than  300  pounds  -         -         -         -  100  00 

For  the  next  best,  not  less  than  300  pounds  -  50  00 

For  the  best,  less  than  300  pounds    and  not  less 

than  100  pounds  -         -  -         -  30  00 


^•20 

00 

15 

00 

20 

00 

15 

00 

10 

00 

5 

00 

434  PREMIUM    LIST. 

For  die  next   best,   less  than  300  pounds  and 

not  less  than  100  j)ounds  -         -  ^20  00 

For  the  best  lot  of  Cheese,  not  less  than  one 
year  old,  and  not  less  in  quantity  than  300 
pounds 100  00 

For  the  next  best,  not  less  than  one  year  old, 

and  not  less  in  quantity  than  300  pounds  50  00 

For  the  best  lot  of  Cheese,  less  than  one  year 

old,  and  not  less  iii  quantity  than  300  pounds  50  00 

For  the  next  best,   less  than  one  year  old,  and 

not  less  than  300  pounds  .         -         -  30  00 

The  claimant  for  the  several  premiums  on  Butter  to  be  exhi- 
bited in  the  months  of  October  and  December  next,  must  state 
in  writing  the  following  particulars,  viz.  the  number  of  cows 
kept  on  liis  farm  ;  his  mode  of  keeping ;  the  treatment  of  the 
inilk  and  cream  before  churning  5  the  mode  of  churning,  winter 
and  summer ;  the  measures  adopted  to  express  the  butter-milk ; 
the  quantity  and  sort  of  salt  employed  ;  whether  saltpetre,  or 
any  other  substances  have  been  used  in  the  process ;  the  best 
time  for  churning,  and  keeping  Butter  in  hot  weather,  and  the 
best  mode  of  preserving  it,  in  and  through  the  summer  and 
winter,  and  in  what  vessels. 

The  claimants  for  the  several  premiums  on  Cheese,  must 
state  the  mode  of  making  the  same,  and  the  following  partic- 
ulars, viz.  the  number  of  cows  kept ;  whether  the  Cheese  is 
made  from  the  proceeds  of  one,  two,  or  more  milkings ;  whe- 
ther any  addition  is  made  of  cream ;  the  quantity  and  sort  of 
salt  used ;  the  mode  of  pressure,  and  the  treatment  of  the 
Cheese  afterwards. 

Farmers  in  the  several  States  are  invited  to  compete  for 
these  premiums,  at  the  exhibition  in  December. 

Claims,  for  the  premiums  on  Butter  and  Cheese  last  above 
mentioned,  must  be  made  in  writing,  addressed  to  Benjamin 
Guild,  Esq.,  Boston,  post  paid,  on  or  before  the  3d  of 
December  next ;  and  the  parcels  deposited  before  Tuesday,  the 


PREMIUM   LIST.  435 

4th,  at  a  place  to  be  designated  hereafter  by  the  Trustees, 
on  which  day,  at  10  o'clock,  before  noon,  the  Committee  will 
proceed  to  examine  the  lots  offered  for  premium,  and  none  will 
be  admitted  after  that  hour. 

The  premiums  will  be  awarded  at  the  same  place  on  Wed- 
nesday, the  5th. 

Each  lot  must  be  marked  with  the  initials  of  the  owner's 
name,  and  the  place  of  manufacture. 

It  is  particularly  recommended  to  the  competitors,  that  the 
Butter  be  put  up  in  the  nicest  manner. 

And  to  take  notice,  that  there  will  be  a  public  auction  after 
the  examination  by  the  Committee,  and  those  who  desire  to 
sell  will  have  an  opportunity,  without  any  charge  for  auctioneer's 
fees,  but  the  government  duty  must  be  paid  by  the  owners  of 
the  Butter  and  Cheese.  The  Committee  will  be  at  liberty  to 
withhold  from  the  auction  sale  any  parcels,  either  of  Butter  or 
Cheese,  which  they  may  have  reason  to  suppose,  from  the  or- 
dinary quality  of  the  same,  or  other  circumstances,  may  have 
been  sent  merely  for  sale. 

VEGETABLE  AND  GRAIN  CROPS. 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Carrots  on  half  an 

acre,  not  less  than  300  bushels        -  -         .fl5  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Potatoes  on   an 

acre,  not  less  than  500  bushels  -  -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quanity  of  Mangel  Wurtzel,  or 

Scarcity  Root,  on  an  acre  not  less  than  GOO 

bushels -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Parsnips  on  half 

an  acre,  not  less  than  200  bushels  -  10  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Ruta  Baga  on  an 

acre,  not   less  than  600  bushels         -         -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  common  Turnips 

on  an  acre,  not  less  than  600  bushels  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Onions  on  half  an 

acre,  not  less  than  300  bushels         -         -  15  Od 


436 


PREMIUM    LIST. 


For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Vegetables,  (grain, 
peas,  and  beans  excepted,)  for  home  con- 
sumption, and  not  for  sale,  raised  for  the 
keeping  of  stock,  regard  being  had  to  the 
size  of  the  farm  in  proportion  to  the  crop, 
and  to  the  number  of  the  stock  kept ;  and 
also  to  the  respective  value  of  the  vegetables 
as  food,  and  the  expense  of  raising  the 
same  -  -  _  _  _         ^SO  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Indian  Corn  on  an 

acre,  not  less  than  80  bushels  -  -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Winter  Wheat  on 

an  acre,  not  less  than  30  bushels         -         -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Barley  on  an  acre, 

not  less  than  40  bushels  -         -         -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Rye  on  an  acre,  not 

less  than  30  bushels  _         _         .         _  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Millet  on  an  acre, 
cut  and  cured  for  hay,  not  less  than  3  tons, 
the  claimant  giving  evidence  of  the  time  of 
sovi^ing,  the  quantity  of  seed  sov^rn,  and  the 
quantity  of  hay  produced         -  -         -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  Mustard  Seed,  not 

less  than  15  bushels  -         _         _         _  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  dressed  Flax,  not 

less  than  500  lbs.    from  an  acre         -         -  20  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  and   best  quality  of 

Hemp  on  an  acre         -  -  -  -  40  00 

It  is  to  be  understood,  that  the  quantity  of  land  specified  above  is, 
in  each  case,  to  be  in  one  piece.  And  the  claimant  of  any  of  the 
above  premiums  shall,  with  one  other  person,  make  oath  to  the  follow- 
ing particulars,  before  some  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and,  with  a  certifi- 
cate of  the  same,  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of  the  measurement  of  the 
land  by  some  sworn  Surveyor. 

The  particulars  are — 

1.  The  condition  of  the  land  in  the  spring  of  1832. 


PREMIUM   LIST.  437 

2.  The  product  and  general  state  of  cultivation,  and  quality 
of  manure  used  upon  it  the  preceding  year. 

3.  The  quantity  of  manure  the  present  season. 

4.  The  quantity  of  seed  used,  and  if  Potatoes,  the  sort. 

5.  The  time  of  sowing,  weeding,  and  harvesting  the  crop, 
and  the  amount  of  the  product  ascertained  by  actual  measure- 
ment, after  the  whole  produce  for  which  a  premium  is  claimed, 
is  harvested,  and  the  entire  expense  of  cultivation. 

6.  Of  Indian  Corn,  the  entire  crop  of  the  acre  to  be  offered 
for  premium,  is  to  be  shelled  and  measured  in  the  presence  of 
the  claimant,  who  is  to  make  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  statement 
m  ade  by  the  person  or  persons,  who  did  harvest,  shell  and 
measure  it ;  and  to  be  measured  between  the  fifteenth  of  No- 
vember, 1832,  and  the  first  day  of  January,  1833. 

7.  At  least  40  bushels  of  the  vegetables,  for  which  a  premi- 
um is  claimed,  except  potatoes,  onions,  and  common  turnips, 
are  to  be  weighed  free  from  dirt,  and  56  pounds  will  be  con- 
sidered a  bushel. 

'  THE    BEST    CULTIVATED    FARMS. 

For  the  best  cultivated  Farm         -         -       -         ^150  00 

For  the  next  best  cultivated  Farm  -         -         100  00 

The  farm  to  consist  of  not  less  than  70  acres,  exclusive  of 
woodlan  d.  The  owner  or  tenant,  to  entitle  himself  to  either 
of  the  premiums,  must  state  in  writing  the  nature  and  quality 
of  the  soil ;  the  proportions  suitable  for  tillage,  mowing,  and 
pasturing,  respectively,  and  especially  the  quantity  of  irrigated 
meadow  or  low  land  which  is  never  tilled  or  ploughed. 

The  number  of  acres  planted  the  present  year  with  corn, 
potatoes,  and  other  vegetables. 

The  number  sowed  with  winter  and  spring  grains,  and  other 
vegetables,  specifying  the  several  kinds,  and  the  number  of  acres 
planted  or  sown  with  each. 

The  quantity  and  kind  of  manure  used  for  each  crop,  and 
the  times  and  manner  of  applying  it. 

The  quantity  and  quality  of  each  crop. 
15 


438  PREMIUM    LIST. 

The  number  of  acres  mowed  the  present  year,  specifying  the 
proportion  of  irrigated  meadow,  or  low  land,  and  the  proportion 
which  had  been  ploughed  or  tilled,  and  the  kind  of  grass  and 
quantity  of  hay  on  each. 

Manner  of  irrigating  the  lands,  and  dressing  and  manuring 
meadow  or  low  land,  and  irrigated  upland,  if  any,  and  laying 
down  tilled  land  to  grass. 

The  kinds  of  grass  seed  sown,  the  quantity  of  each,  the  time 
of  year,  and  whether  sown  with  oats,  barley,  or  other  grain,  or 
alone. 

The  number  of  acres  of  pasture  ;  the  part,  if  any,  that  had 
previously  been  ploughed  ;  when  this  part  was  laid  down,  and 
the  kinds  and  quantities  of  grass  seed  sown  per  acre. 

The  number  of  apple  trees  on  the  farm  ;  the  proportion  graft- 
ed ;  whether  planted  in  orchards  or  partly  by  the  fences  against 
the  road ;  the  quantity  of  winter  apples  gathered  and  cider 
made  ;  treatment  of  trees,  and  manner  of  making  cider. 

The  form  and  dimensions  of  barns,  sheds,  and  barn-yard,  and 
manner  of  collecting  and  making  manure. 

The  number  of  oxen,  cows,  and  young  stock,  horses,  and 
sheep,  kept  on  the  farm  through  the  year,  and  the  quantity  of 
butter  and  cheese  made,  distinguishing  the  new  milk  from  the 
other  cheese,  and  the  breed  of  cows,  whether  foreign,  mixed, 
or  native. 

The  number  of  swine,  and  quantity  of  pork  made. 

The  labor  employed  in  carrying  on  the  farm,  and  quantity  of 
ardent  spirits  consumed. 

As  it  is  deemed  important  to  ascertain  the  best  rotation  of 
crops,  it  is  expected  that  the  applicants  for  these  premiums 
will  state  the  kind  of  crop,  if  not  able  to  state  the  quantity,  rais- 
ed on  the  several  and  respective  pieces  of  tillage,  mowing,  and 
pasture  land  described  in  their  statements,  for  two  years  next 
preceding  the  present  one. 

The  manner  of  feeding  his  stock  in  the  winter  season  ;  whe- 
ther he  gives  his  milch  cows  or  oxen  grain  or  roots  of  any  kind, 
and  the  kind  and  quantity. 


PREMIUM    LIST.  439 

His  treatment  of  calves  he  intends  to  raise  ;  whether  he  lets 
them  continue  to  suck,  or  weans  them  soon  after  born — how 
soon — ^what  food  he  gives  them,  and  how  long  he  continues  to 
feed  them. 

His  manner  of  making  cider  and  cleansing  his  old  barrels, 
and  the  time  he  draws  it  off,  if  at  all. 

The  kind  of  food  given  to  his  swine,  and  the  manner  in  which 
it  is  prepared. 

The  age  at  which  he  finds  it  most  profitable  to  make  beef  of 
his  w'orking  oxen  and  good  milch  cows. 

If  it  be  a  sheep  farm,  the  manner  he  treats  his  sheep  in  the 
winter;  whether  they  are  housed  or  left  out  in  the  yard,  the 
food  given  them,  and  the  time  they  generally  lamb. 

The  whole  statement  to  be  sworn  to  by  the  applicant.  The 
Trustees  to  be  at  liberty,  in  all  cases,  before  they  award  the 
premium,  to  visit  by  a  committee,  or  such  other  persons  as  they 
shall  appoint,  the  farms  of  the  applicants,  if  they  deem  it  ex- 
pedient. 

A*.  B.  Claims  to  be  addressed  to  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.,  in  Boston, 
(post  paid)  before  tliejirst  day  of  October  next ;  and  the  evidence  to  sup- 
port them  to  be  sent  as  above,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  January,  1833. 

EXPERIMENTS,    DISCOVERIES,    AND    INVENTIONS. 

For  the  experiment  of  turning  in  green  crops  as  a 
manure,  on  a  tract,  not  less  than  one  acre,  and  prov- 
ing its  utility,  giving  a  particular  account  in  writing, 
under  oath,  of  the  process  and  the  result         .  f  20  00 

For  the  most  successful  use  of  the  Drill  Plough,  in 
the  cultivation  of  any  small  grains  or  seeds,  on  a 
scale  of  not  less  than  one  acre  .         .         .  20  00 

For  an  effectual  and  satisfactory  mode  of  extirpating 

the  Worm  that  attacks  the  locust  tree    .         .         .     100  00 

For  a  new,  effectual  and  satisfactory  mode  of  ex- 
tirpating the  Borer  which  attacks  the  apple  tree         .     50  00 

For  any  newly  invented  Agricultural  Implement,  or 
machine,  superior  to  any  designed  for  the  same  use. 


440  PREMIUM    LIST. 

that  shall  have  heretofore  gained  a  premium,  a  re- 
ward not  exceeding  twenty  dollars,  according  to  the 
importance  of  the  invention  .  .  .  $20  00 
To  the  person,  who  shall  prove  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Trustees,  that  his  mode  of  rearing,  feeding  and 
fattening  neat  cattle  is  best  .         .         .      20  00 

TREES    AND    LIVE    HEDGES, 

For  the  largest  plantation  of  the  White  Mulberry 
tree,  not  less  than  two  thousand  plants,  nor  less 
than  three  years  old,  to  be  claimed  on  or  before  the 
1st  of  December,  1832  .         .         .         .     50  00 

For  the  greatest  quantity  of  raw  or  unmanufactured 
silk,  not  less  than  ten  pounds,  raised  by  the  clai- 
mant, and  presented  before  the  1st  of  December, 
1832 20  00 

For  the  best  plantation  of  White  Oak  trees,  not  less 
than  one  acre,  nor  fewer  than  1000  trees  per  acre 
— raised  from  the  acorn — not  less  than  three  years 
old,  and  which  shall  be  in  the  most  thriving  state 
on  the  1st  of  September,  1832  .         .         .100  00 

For  the  best  plantation  of  White  Ash,  Larch,  or 
Yellow  Locust  trees,  each  of  not  less  than  one 
acre,  nor  fewer  than  1000  trees  per  acre,  to  be 
raised  from  the  seeds,  and  which  trees  not  less 
than  three  years  old,  shall  be  in  the  most  flourish- 
ing state  on  the  1st  September,  1832  .         .     50  00 

For  the  best  Buckthorn  Hedge,  not  less  than  100 
rods  and  which  shall  be  in  the  most  thriving  state 
in  1832  50  00 

Claims  under  the  two  last  heads,  together  with  the  proper  evidence, 
must  be  delivered  to  Benjamin  Guild,  £sg.,  in  Boston,  free  of  expense, 
on  or  before  the  first  day  of  January,  1833. 

FOR   DOMESTIC    MANUFACTURES. 

For  the  best  -4-  Woollen  Blankets,  not  less  than  ten 

pairs,  ....     $50  00 


PREMIUM    LIST.  441 

For  the  best  Worsted  Camlet  or  Bombazetts,  not  less 

than  sixty  yards  .  .  .  .$400  0 

For  the   best    Linen    Sheeting,    not   less   than  Jifty 

yards  .  .  .  .  .     30  00 

For    the   best   Linen    Shirting,   not   less   than  Jifty 

yards  .  .  .  .  .     30  00 

For  the  best  Sewing  Silk,  not  less  than  ten  pounds      .     30  00 

All  the  above  must  be  manufactured  within  the  state  of 
Massachusetts.  And  all  manufactures,  when  presented,  must 
have  a  private  mark,  and  any  public  or  known  mark  must  be 
completely  concealed,  so  as  not  to  be  seen  or  known  by  the  Com- 
mittee, nor  must  the  proprietors  be  present  when  they  are  ex- 
amined. In  default  of  either  of  these  requisitions,  the  articles 
will  not  be  deemed  entitled  to  consideration  or  premium. 

Gratuities  will  be  given,  as  in  former  years,  for  specimens  of 
useful  and  ornamental  manufactures,  of  extraordinary  quality, 
presented  at  the  Hall  for  exhibition. 

PLOUGHING  MATCH. 

On  the  1 7th  day  of  October,  premiums  will  be  given  to  the 
owners  and  ploughmen  of  the  three  ploughs,  drawn  by  two  yoke 
of  oxen,  and  to  the  owners  and  ploughmen  of  three  ploughs  drawn 
by  one  yoke  of  oxen,  which  shall  be  adjudged  by  a  competent 
Committee,  to  have  performed  the  best  work  with  the  least  ex- 
pense of  labor,  not  exceeding  half  an  acre  to  each  plough.  En- 
tries may  be  made  of  the  names  of  competitors  until  themorn- 
ing  of  the  17th.  Preference  will  be  given  to  those  who  enter  first 
— but  if,  on  calling  the  list  at  the  hour  appointed,  precisely, 
those  first  named  do  not  appear,  the  next  in  order  will  be  pre- 
ferred. There  will  be  two  Committees,  of  three  persons  each — 
one  to  be  judge  of  the  ploughing  by  double  teams,  the  other  of 
the  ploughing  by  single  teams ; — the  latter  to  have  assigned  to 
them  a  part  of  the  field  distinct  from  that  of  the  double 
team$. 


442  PREMIUM    LISL. 

Premiums  as  follows,  [being  the  same   for  the   double  and 
single  teams: — j 


First  Plough,  ^15 
Ploughman,  8 
Driver ,  4 


Third  Plough,  $6 
Ploughman,  3 
Driver,  2 


Second  Plough,  $10 

Ploughman,  5 

Driver,  3 

In  each  case,  if  there  be  no  driver,  both  sums  to  be  awarded 

to  the  ploughman. 

To  the  plough  which  shall  be  adjudged  best  of  all  those 

used  at  the  ploughing  match        .  .  .     $10  00 

Those  who  intend  to  contend  for  these  prizes,  must  give  no- 
tice in  writing  to  the  person-  who  shall  be  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  in  Brighton,  whose  name  will  be  seasonably  published. 
The  competitors  will  be  considered  as  agreeing  to  follow  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  Committees. 
The  ploughs  to  be  ready  to  start  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 

RULES    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Animals  may  be  offered  for  a  premium  at  Brighton,  notwith- 
standing they  have  received  a  premium  from  a  County  Agri- 
cuhural  Society. 

All  Manufactures  and  Implements,  and  also  the  Butter  and 
Cheese  to  be  offered  for  a  premium  at  the  Cattle  Show,  must 
be  brought  to  the  Society's  Hall  in  Brighton,  and  entered  on 
Monday,  the  15th  day  of  October  next,  to  be  examined  on  the 
16th. 

All  entries  of  animals  for  the  pens,  or  as  working  cattle,  must 
be  made  before  Tuesday  evening,  the  16th. 

The  Ploughing  Matches  will  commence  on  Wednesday 
morning,  at  half  past  nine  o^ clock,  precisely. 

Trial  of  Working  Oxen  at  eleven  o'clock,  precisely. 

The  public  sales  of  Manufactures  and  Animals  at  twelve 
o'clock. 

The  applicants  will  be  held  to  a  rigid  compliance  with  the 
rule  relative  to  entries,  as  well  as  the  other  rules  prescribed. 

Besides  such  animals  as  may  have  been  offered  for  premi- 
ums, any  others  that  are  considered  as  possessing  fine  qualities 


PREMIUM    LIST.  44S 

will  be  admitted  for  sale.  And  for  all  animals  or  manufactures^ 
that  are  intended  to  be  sold,  notice  must  be  given  to  the  Secre- 
tary, before  ten  o'clock  of  the  17th.  Auctioneers  will  be  pro- 
vided by  the  Trustees. 

It  is  understood,  that  whenever,  merely  from  want  of  competi- 
tion, any  of  the  claimants  may  be  considered  entitled  to  the  pre- 
mium, under  a  literal  construction ;  yet  if,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
judges,  the  object  so  offered  is  not  deserving  of  any  reward, 
the  judges  shall  have  a  right  to  reject  such  claims.  Persons  to 
whom  premiums  shall  be  awarded,  may,  at  their  option,  have 
an  article  of  plate,  with  suitable  inscriptions,  in  lieu  of  money. 

In  cases  where  pecuniary  premiums  are  offered,  the  Trustees 
may,  having  regard  to  the  circumstances  of  the  competitors, 
award  either  the  Society's  gold  or  silver  medals,  in  lieu  of  the 
pecuniary  premium  annexed  to  the  several  articles. 

That  if  any  competitor  for  any  of  the  Society's  premiums 
shall  be  discovered  to  have  used  any  disingenuous  measures, 
by  which  the  objects  of  the  Society  have  been  defeated,  such 
person  shall  not  only  forfeit  the  premium  which  may  have  been 
awarded  to  him,  but  be  rendered  incapable  of  being  ever  after 
a  competitor  for  any  of  the  Society's  premiums. 

Time  of  paying  Premiums. — The  Treasurer  will  attend  at 
the  Hall  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  on  the  day  of  the  Show,  and  on 
the  next  day  from  9,  A.  M.,  till  12,  M..  to  pay  all  premiums 
awarded. 

All  premiums  not  demanded  within  six  months  after  they 
shall  have  been  awarded,  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  gen- 
erously given  to  aid  the  funds  of  the  Society. 
By  order  of  the  Trustees, 

JOHN  LOWELL,^ 
G.  PARSONS,       I 
E.  H.  DERBY,       y    Committee, 
J.  HEARD,  Jr. 
BENJ.  GUILD,     J 
January,  1832. 


HAVE     IN     PRESS  *. 

THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  REBELLION  AND  CI- 
VIL Vv  ARS  IN  ENGLAND,  To  which  is  added  an  Histo- 
rical View  of  the  Affairs  of  Ireland.  By  Edward  Earl  of 
Clarendon.  A  new  Edition,  exhibiting  a  faithful  Collation 
ot  the  Original  MS.,  with  all  the  Suppressed  Passages;  also 
the  Unpublished  Notes  of  Bishop  Warburton. 

The  publishers  of  this  edition  of  Lord  Clarendon's  History 
have  long  been  desirous  of  reprinting  this  noble  work  in  the 
United  States,  and  actually  made  some  preparations  for  it  se- 
veral years  ago.  The  appearance  of  a  new  edition  from  the 
Clarendon  press,  exhibiting  for  the  first  time  the  true  text  I'rom 
the  MSS.  of  Lord  Clarendon,  renders  the  present  far  more 
valuable  than  any  prior  edition  could  have  been.  An  account 
of  this  new  revision  will  be  found  in  the  Edinburgh  Review, 
No.  87,  and  it  will  be  seen,  as  these  critics  observe,  that  the 
present  edition  of  Clarendon  is  the  first  correct  and  complete 
publication  of  his  history. 

The  writer  in  the  Edinburgh  Review  observes,  "  It  does 
not  appear  indeed  why  the  learned  editor  has  retained  the 
defective  and  erroneous  text  of  former  editions,  and  placed 
the  genuine  language  of  Lord  Clarendon  in  the  margin.  The 
reverse  order  would  have  been  perhaps  more  convenient." 
This  is  so  evident,  that  the  present  publishers  have  followed 
this  hint.  Indeed  it  is  absurd  to  exhibit  a  false  and  corrupted 
text,  and  to  refer  the  reader  to  the  margin  for  the  true  read- 
ing. In  the  very  handsome  and  correct  English  edition,  the 
attention  of  the  reader  is  drawn  away  repeatedly  in  every 
page,  to  compare  and  correct  the  text  of  the  history.  This 
is  beyond  measure  vexatious  and  irksome. 

The  publishers  hope  this  alteration  will  be  universally  ap- 
proved. There  seems  no  reason  indeed  why  it  should  not 
have  been  done  in  the  Englisli  edition,  but  the  additional 
trouble  and  expense  which  it  occasions. 

The  Notes  of  Bishop  Warburton  are  now  also  for  the 
first  time  given.  These  are  valuable  and  characteristic.  Many 
of  them  are  such  as  the  reader  would  hardly  expect  from  the 
author  of  the  Jllliance.  The  lovers  of  freedom  will  be  pleased 
to  see  how  entirely  the  early  measures  of  the  Parliament  are 
justified  by  this  zealous  defender  of  Church  and  King. 

The  publishers  hope  that  the  great  expense  and  labour, 
which  they  have  bestowed  on  this  edition,  will  render  it  par- 
ticularly acceptable  to  the  intelligent  reader.  Lord  Claren- 
don's History  is  very  properly  styled  one  of  the  "  noblest 
historical  '^Aorks  in  the  English  language.^'  It  belongs  as 
much  to  American  as  to  English  history.  The  early  part  of 
the  former,  indeed,  can  never  be  thoroughly  understood, 
without  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  opinions  and  principles 
held  by  both  parties  ;  and  which  divided  the  English  nation  in 
the  great  contest  between  the  King  and  the  Parliament. 


Massachusetts    A^riculturai 


REPOSITORY  and  JOURNAL. 


NUMBER  IL VOL.   X. 


CONTBJTTS. 


The  Proceedings  and  Reports  of 
the  Brighton  Cnttk  Sh-^^v  in  Oc- 
tober, 1827  .  97 
The  Culture  of  Si  ,133 
History  of  Silk  ,  138 
Hi^Torr    of    Silk             ;       Uuitec? 


)    States 


145 


Raw  Potatoes  bad  for  Milch  Cows  154 
:One  of  the  Diseases  of  the  Peach 

Tree         .  '      .        .         ,        .1^6 
Lorain's  Husbandry       .  .  159 

New  Presents  of  Fruits        ,         .  ?ifi5 


BOSTON: 

^nLISRKO  nt  WSLLI  AH©  tllLT,  COVax-STEXXT, 
rOB  THS  TSVSTEES  0]p  TUB   &fiL8Si,CHUS£TTR    SOCXSTT  VOB  JPBO< 
MOTIirO  AGRICUlTUBE, 

Price  50  Cents, 


„  ■>?B<^'W- 


BOOKS 


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I. 

BOSTOCK'S  PHYSIOLOGY.     3  vols.  8vo. 

'U'Second  and  third  volumes,  which  complete  the  work,  just  published,  ami 
!,oId  separate. 

IT. 
THE  LECTURES  OF  SIR  ASTLEY  COOPER.    Edit- 
ed by  Frederick  Tyrrell,  Esq.     In  3  vols.     The  only  genuine  edi- 
tion. 

iTT'I^hird  Tolume  just  published,  which  completes  the  work.  A  few  copios 
of  second  and  third  volumes,  or  third  may  be  had  separate. 

in. 

THE    LIFE    OF    HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELBRIDGE 

GERRY,  LL.D.  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  Vice  President  of  the  U.  S.  of  America.  Illustrated  in 
Letters  of  Contemporary  Patriots,  to  the  close  of  the  American  Re- 
volution.   By  James  T.  Austin. 

IG~  This  work  contains  upwards  of  fifty  original  Letters  of  the  most  distiit- 
guisbed  characters  in  the  Revolutionary  War — Gen.  "Warren,  Gen.  Washington, 
Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Hancock,  John  Adams,  Samuel  Adams,  Thomas  Gush- 
ing, Robert  T.  t'aine,  Samuel  Allen  Otis,  General  Knox,  General  Lincoln,  Lieu- 
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cloth  backs. 

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Temple.  With  Corrections,  and  the  Addition  of  References.  By 
a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Bar. 


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vols.  8vo.     Reprinted  from  a  complete 


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edition  lately  published  in  London 

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JOHN  MASON  GOOD,  M.D.  and  F.R.S.  In  2  vols.  8vo. 
♦'  —the  woik  is  certainly  the  best  philosophical  digest  of  the  kind  which  we  have 
seen.'' — Land.  Man.  Rev. 

VH. 
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from   1789  to  1827,  whether  repealed  or  in  force.    Arranged  in 
Chronological  Order,  with  a  Copious  Index.     Under  the  inspection 
o(  Mr.  Justice  Story.    3  vols,  royal  8vo. 


THE 


MASSACHUSETTS  AGRICULTURAL 


REPOSITORY  AND  JOURNAL, 


VOL.   X.-NO.   III. 


CONTENTS. 


Address,  by  John  C.  Gray,  Esq. 
Corainittees  —  Brighton  Cattle  Show, 
Reports  of  same,  viz. 
"         on  Fat  Caltle, 
"         on  Cows,  Hiiif'ers,  Bulls  and 

Bull  Calves,     . 
"         on  Sheep  and  Swine, 
"         on  Ploughing  with  two  Yoke 

of  Oxen, 
"         on  Ploughing  with  one  Yoke 

of  Oxen, 
"         on  Working  Oxen, 
"         on  Useful  Inventions, 
Letter  of  Dr  Nichols   respecting  his 

improviement  in  the  Harrow, 
Report  of  Committee  on  Butter,  Cheese 

and  Cider,  .... 

Report  of  Committee  on  Manufactures, 
"  "  on  Butter,  at  the 

Exhibilion  in  Boston,  Dec.  1830, 
Report  on  Grain,  Vegetable  Crops,  &c, 
Letters  accompanying  same,  viz. 
■     From  T.  Little  and  H.    Little    on 
Wheat, 
"      B.  B.  Howard  on  Barley, 
"      R.  Adams,  Jr,  on  Winter  Rye, 
"      P.  Williams  on  Potatoes, 


209 
223 

224 

226 
230 

232 

234 
235 
236 

239 

241 
242 

244 
249 


250 
251 
253 
254 


From  G.  Foster,  on  Mangel  Wurt- 

zel,  ....  257 
"  H.  Colman  on  Ruta  Baga,  261 
"      Jos.  Perkins  on  Onions,  263 

"       W.  Buckminster  on  Turning 

in  Green  Crops  as  Manure,  264 
"  Sai1ie,onBogMud  as  Manure,  268 
"  Same,  on  Yellow  Locust,  270 
"      J.   Stone  on  Destroying  the 

Bee  Moth,  ...  272 
"      D.  Prouty  on  Extirpating  the 

Borer,      .  .         .273 

Report  on  best  Cultivated  Farms,  274 

Letter  accompanying  same,  from  Jona. 

Allen, 280 

do,  from  Erastus  Ware,  .  .  .  285 
Report  of  the  Brighton  Market  for  1830,  291 
On  Wood  Land  and  Forest  Trees,  by 

John  Welles,  Esq.  ...  293 
On  Asparagus,  by  same,  .  .  .  301 
On  Grasses,  by  John  Lowell,  Esq.  303 

On  Bone  Manure,  for  wet  Meadows,  by 

same,  .....         310 

On  Grafting  the  Grape,  .  .  .  311 
On  Milch  Gows,  ....  312 
Society's  Premiums  for  1831,     .        .    314 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  B.  RUSSELL,  52  NORTH  MARKET  STREET. 


PRINTED  BV  I.  R.  BUTTS. 
1831. 


SEED     ESTABLISHMENT 


5 
AT    THE 


AGRICULTURAL    WAREHOUSE, 

NOS.  51  &  52  NORTH  MARKET  STREET,  BOSTON 


The  Subscriber  informs  his  friends  and  the  public,  that  he  has  es- 
tablished a  Warehouse  for  every  kind  of  Seeds,  suitable  for  cultivation 
in  the  United  States,  the  British  Provinces,  or  the  West  India  Islands  ; 
comprising  an  extensive  variety  of  grass  seeds,  the  most  common  as  well 
as  the  rarer  sorts  ;  seeds  of  native  American  forest  trees,  shrubs,  and 
flowers;  kitchen  garden  vegetables  ;  medicinal,  pot,  and  aromatic  herbs  ; 
fruits,  esculent  roots,  ornamental  flowers,  &;c.;  all  of  which  are  disposed 
of  «t  wholesale  and  retail,  at  fair  prices. 

The  greatest  care  has  been  taken  at  this  Establishment  to  have  such 
seeds  only  as  can  have  the  utmost  reliance  placed  on  their  purity  and 
freshness.  They  are  not  collected  promiscuously,  but  are  raised  ex- 
pressly for  the  proprietor  by  gentlemen  of  skill  and  responsible  charac- 
ter. Some  few  varieties  of  seed,  which  cannot  be  raised  to  advantage 
in  this  country,  are  from  the  first  establishments  in  Europe,  on  whose 
veracity  and  faithfulness  full  confidence  can  be  placed. 

Connected  with  the  Seed  Trade,  we  have  a  large  assortment  of  the 
most  approved  Books  on  Agriculture,  Horticuhure,  Gardening  and  Bot- 
any ;  and  can  supply  Agricultural  Libraries  and  others  with  books,  not 
usually  found  elsewhere,  on  favorable  terms. 

The  smallest  order  from  the  country  for  Seeds,  Plants,  Books,  kc,  will 
meet  prompt  attention.  J.  B.  Russeli-. 

AGRICULTURAL    BOOKS. 

For  Salp,  at  J.  B.  Russell's  Seed  Store,  Nos.  51  &  b'i  North  Market  Strrcnt,  Boston. 

Coxe  (of  Burlington,  N.  J.)  on  Fruit  Trees,  8vo,  icith  Plates, 

Davy's  (Sir  Humphry)  Lectures  on  Agriculture,  12mo, 

Forsyth  on  Fruit  Trees,  8vo,         ...... 

Green's  Treatise  on  the  culture  of  Ornamental  Flowers,  Bulbous 

Roots,  Stc,  —  a  convenient  manual.  .... 

Thacher's  Treatise  on  Bees, —  an  interesting  zvor/r,     . 

Gleanings  on  Husbandry,  Gardening  and  Rural  Affairs, 

Kirwan  on  Manures,  12mo,  ...... 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Gardening,  (700  engravings,)     . 

Loudon's   Encyclopedia  of  Agriculture,  1    large   volume  8vo, 

closely  printed,  contains  upwards  of  800  engravings,  .  .      12  00 

Both  the  above  works  are  highly  interesting,  and  contain  on  immense  mass 
of  useful  infoiinalion. 

Prince's  New  Treatise  on  the  Vine,       .  .  .  .  .       ]    .50 

Hind's  Farriery,  {a  new,  vahiable  work,)     .       .  .         .  1   00 

The  New  American  Gardener;  containing  Practical  directions  on  the  culture 
of  Fruits  and  Vegetables;  including  Landscape  and  Ornamental  Gardening, 
Grape  Vines,  Silk,  Strawberries,  &c.  Fotirtfi  edition.  By  Thomas  G.  Fes- 
senden,  Editor  of  the  New  England  Farmer;   (a  most  valuable  icork.)     .       .      1    00 


$4 

00 

I 

50 

1 

50 

25 

75 

2 

00 

50 

12 

00 

AGRICULTURAL  IMPLEMENTS, 

r  0  R    S  A  L  E  A  T    N  0.  52,   N  0  R  T  H  M  A  R  K  E  T  S  T  R  E  E  T,  B  Y 

JOSEPH  R.  NEWELL. 


POPE'S  IMPROVED  HAND  AMD  HORSE  THRESHING 

MACHINE. 

This  Machine,  invented  by  the  late  Joseph  Pope,  Esq.  has  been  in 
successful  operation  in  different  parts  of  the  country  for  several  years, 
and  is  found  on  trial  to  be  the  best  operating  machine  —  to  do  the  work 
in  the  most  perfect  and  effectual  manner,  and  the  least  liable  to  get  out 
of  order,  of  any  machine  that  has  been  in  use.  It  will  thoroughly  thresh 
five  bushels  of  wheat,  rye,  or  barley,  in  one  hour  ;  —  and  of  oats,  ten 
•or  twelve  bushels. 

STRAW  CUTTERS. 

The  Straw  Cutter  is  a  machine  well  worth  the  attention  of  every  farm- 
er, and  should  be  in  common  use  with  every  person  feeding  Stock,  and 
from  the  great  improvement  and  simplicity  of  the  machines  now  in  use, 
the  work  is  done  with  great  ease  and  facility.  It  is  a  subject  of  great 
regret  to  every  friend  of  the  Agricultural  interest,  that  these  machines 
are  not  in  more  general  use.  Every  farmer  who  is  disposed  to  use  jjj^ 
fodder  to  the  best  possible  advantage,  and  preserve  his  animals  in  tjjg 
best  health,  in  all  cases  cut  their  fodder. 

CORN  AND  COB  CRACKERS. 

This  Mill,  which  is  calculated  for  the  purpose  of.  rinding  cob  and 
corn,  is  found  to  ansv.rr  the  purpose  of  making  the  best  provender  in  the 
most  economical  way.  This  Mill  is  so  constructed  as  to  be  used  as  a 
common  grist  mill,  and  may  be  worked  with  common  horse  power.  Will 
crack  40  bushels  per  hour.     Price  16  to  J^20. 

Bailey's  Hand-mill,  well  calculated   for  domestic   purposes,  and   as  a 
Hand-mill  for  cracking  corn.     Price  ^5. 
EARN  HAM'S  IMPROVED  PATENT  GRATER  CIDKR  MILL. 

The  improvement  in  this  mill  is  in  grinding,  or  rather  grating  the  ap- 
ples very  fine,  so  that  all  the  juice  is  pressed  out  ;  and  produces  a  great- 
er quantity  of  liquor  from  the  same  quantity  of  pomace.  The  above 
mills  are  in  extensive  operation,  and  very  much  approved  of.  They  will 
grind  two  bushels  of  apples  per  minute,  and  no  way  liable  to  get  out  of 
order. 

With  little  alteration  it  can  be  be  made  one  of  the  best  vegetable 
grinders  tor  grinding  or  cutting  food  for  animals.  Price  with  the  patent 
right,  p5. 

REED'S  AND  OTHER  CIDER  PRESSES, 

Made  to  order  to  correspond  with  the  Mills. 
GRAIN  AND  CIDER  SHOVELS. 
KNIVES  FOR  CUTTING  CIDER   POMACE.— CHURNS. 

Gault's  Patent  Churn,  w^hich  has  been  in  use  for  several  years,  is 
the  most  approved  and  convenient  churn  now  in  use.  The  particular  ad- 
vantage is  the  ease  and  facility  with  which  it  can  be  worked.  From  its 
quick  and  powerful  motion  it  will  produce  the  greatest  quantity  of  butter 
from  the  same  quantity  of  cream  ;  is  easy  to  clean,  and  no  way  liable  to 
get  out  of  or<'pr.      Prirc  <o  .50,   '?^R  00,  and  7  ^^7  50.      'Jhrcc'sizes. 


GRINDSTONES. 
Different  sizes,  hung  on  friction  rollers,  with  foot  treddles.     The  per- 
son grinding  turns  the  stone  with  great  ease  and  despatch.     Price  from 
10  to  $14. 
PLOUGHS.— HOWARD'S,    TICK'S,    SIDE-HILL,    SELF- 
SHARPENING,  &c. 
SCARIFIERS   AND   CULTIVATORS.— CORN-SHELLERS. 
MANURE  AND  HAY  FORKS. 
GARDEN  REELS  AND  LINES. 
HARROWS, — of  all  sizes,  fixed  both  for  horses  and  oxen. 
GARDEN  ROLLERS,— large  and  small 
OX  AND  HORSE    CARTS.— REVOLVING    HORSE    RAKE. 
GRAIN   CRADLES.— WINNOWir^G  MACHINES. 
TRIMMING  KNIVES —HAY  KNIVES. 
GRASS  AND  HEDGE  SHEARS. 
APPLE  PARING  MACHINE. 
LIGHTNING  RODS,— with  insulating  glass  blocks.— BEE-HIVES. 
COMMON  BARN  AND  HAND  LANTERNS. 
GLASS  COVERS  FOR  PLANTS,  different  sizes. 
PATENT  AND  COMMON  CURRY   COMBS. 
COARSE  AND  FINE  CATTLE  CARDS —HORSE  BRUSHES. 
TREE  SCRAPERS  AND  BRUSHES. 
P[ckerjng's  improved  Tree  Brushes. 
Common  work  Brushes  for  Trees. 
TRANSPLANTING  TROWELS,  FORKS  AND  SPADES. 
Cast  Steel  and  common  Transplanting  Trowels. 
Cast  steel  and  common  Transplanting  Spades. 
CARRIAGE  WRENCHES.— THRESHING  FLAILS. 
HAY  PRESSES,  of  any  power  or  size,  warranted. 
STEEL  AND  IRON  BULL  RINGS 
TRACE  AND  OX  CHAINS.— HORSE  TRACES. 
CHAINS  AND  RINGS  FOR  SECURING  COWS  AND   OXEN. 
HALTERS  AND  CHAINS.— SURVEYORS'  CHAINS. 
MEARS'  IMPROVED  OX  SHACKLE, 
For  levelling  the  draught   of  the  Chain, 
BRASS  AND  COMPOSITION  OX  BALLS. 
HAND    DRILL   AND    HAMMERS. 
HARROW  TEETH,  steel  pointed. 
PLOUGHSHARES.— Wrought  and  cast  iron  Ploughshares. 
AXES,    HATCHETS,    and  CLEAVERS,   coist  steel  and  common. 
PEAT  SPADES —DITCHING  SPADES.— WATERING  POTS. 
SYRINGES,  Tin  and  Copper  far  sprinkling  Grape  Vines. 
LAC'J'OMETERS.    To  prove  or  test  the   quality  of  cream. 
CHEESE  PRESSES  AND  CHEESE  HOOPS. 
Leavett's  Improved  Cheese  Press,  which  is  so  constructed  that  seven 
or  fourteen  pounds  weight   will  press  any   common  size  cheese.     Price 

$4  50,  «:.oo,  $6  00. 


THE 


MASSACHUSETTS  AGRICULTURAL 


REPOSITORY   AND   JOURNAL. 


VOL,.     X.  — NO.     IV 


CONTENTS, 


Introductory  Rcmarka,            -            ♦  325 

List  of  Officers,       -            -            -        -  334 
Official  Reports — 

On    Exhibition  of  Butter  and  Cheese,  336 

"     Vegetable  and  Grain  Crops,       -  339 
Letters  accompanying  the  same,  viz.- 

From  Payson  Williams,              -         -  841 

"     Joseph  Perkins,            -        -  344 

**     John  Wilson,           ...  344 
"     Henry  Sprague  and 

Albert  Sprague,            -        .  346 

Report  on  the  Best  Cultivated  Farmjs,       -  348 
Letters  accompanying  the  above — 

From  Merrill  Allen,         -        -         -  357 

"     Peter  Thacher,         -         -        .  363 

"     Jonathan  Allen,     ...  379 
Report  on  Experiments,  Discoveries  and 

Inventions,       -        -        .        ,         .  379 
Letter  from  Dr.  Thacher,  on  the  best 

Methodof  destroying  the  Bee-Moth,       -  387 
Letter  from  Rev.  J.  R.  Barbour,  describ- 
ing his  Model  of  an  Ajjiary,         -        -  393 


Letter  from  the  same,  describing  Apjiara^ 
tus  for  transferring  Bees  from  one  hive 
to  another,  -        .        .         -        - 

Letter  on  the  same,  from  Gorham  Par- 
sons, Esq.         ..... 

Letter  from  John  Matckay,  describing  his 
Apple  Orchard,  .... 

Letter  from  John  Lowell,  Esq.  on  the  De- 
struction of  the  last  Year's  Wood  in. 
Fruit  Tree^,        .         .        -         -^        - 

Letter  fronj  the  same,  on  Live  Hedges  for 
New-England,         .... 

Some  Notice  of  the  Aracacha,  and  of  the 
laudable  Efforts  to  introduce  it  into  the 
United  States,  -         -        - 

Result  of  an  Attempt  to  cultivate  the 
Aracacha,  .         ,         .         .         . 

On  Imported  Stock,  by  John  Welles, 
Esq. 

Smithfield  Cattle  Show, 

Society's  Prenuums  for  1832, 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY  STIMPSON  &  CLAPP,  72  WASHINGTON  STREET. 

1832. 


395 
404 
407 

408 
411 

411 

418 

425 
428 
431 


SEED    ESTABLISHMENT, 

AT    THfe 

AGRICULTURAL  WAREHOUSE, 

NOS.    51    &   52,    NORTH    MARKET    STREET,   BOSTON. 


The  subscriber  informs  his  friends  and  the  public,  that  be  has  estab* 
lished  a  "Warehouse  for  every  kind  of  Seeds,  suitable  for  cultivation  in  the 
United  States,  the  British  Provinces,  or  the  West-India  Islands ;  com* 
prising  an  extensive  variety  of  grass  seeds,  the  most  common  is  well  as 
the  rarer  sorts  ;  seeds  of  native  American  forest  trees,  shrubs,  and  flow- 
ers ;  kitchen  garden  vegetables ;  medicinal,  pot,  and  aromatic  herbs ; 
fruits,  esculent  roots,  ornamental  flowers,  8cc. ;  all  of  which  are  disposed 
of  at  wholesale  and  retail,  at  fair  prices. 

The  greatest  care  has  been  taken  at  this  establishment,  to  have  such 
seeds  only  as  can  have  the  utmost  reliance  placed  on  their  purity  and 
freshness.  They  are  not  collected  promiscuously,  but  are  raised  express* 
ly  for  the  proprietor  by  gentlemen  of  skill  and  responsible  character. 
Some  few  varieties  of  seed,  which  cannot  be  raised  to  advantage  in  this 
country,  are  from  the  first  establishments  in  Europe,  on  whose  veracity 
and  faithfulness  full  confidence  can  be  placed. 

Connected  with  the  Seed  Trade,  we  have  a  large  assortment  of  the 
most  approved  Books  on  Agriculture,  Horticulture,  Gardening  and  Bota- 
ny ;  and  can  supply  Agricultural  Libraries  and  others  with  Books,  not 
usually  found  elsewhere,  on  favorable  terms. 

The  smallest  order  from  the  country,  for  Seeds,  Plants,  Books,  &c* 
will  meet  prompt  attention.  J.  B.  Russell. 

AGRICULTURAL  BOOKS, 

For  sale  at  J.  D.  Russell's  Seed  Store,  Nos.  .51  &  5S,  North  Market  Street,  Boston. 

Coxe  (of  Burlington,  N.  J.)  on  Fruit  Trees,  8vo.  with  Plates^       $4  00 

Davy's  (Sir  Humphry)  Lectures  on  Agricuhnre,  12mo.           .         1  50 

Forsyth  on  Fruit  Trees,  8vo.  .  .  .  .  1  50 
Green's  Treatise  on  the  culture  of  Ornamental  Flowers,  Bulbous 

Roots,  &;c. — a  convenient  manual,             ...  25 

Thacher's  Treatise  on  Bees, — an  interesting  work,.         »              .  76 

Gleanings  on  Husbandry,  Gardening  and  Rural  Affairs,  .  2  00 
Kirwan  on  Manures,  12mo.                     .             .             .             .26 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Gardening,  (700  engravings,)  12  00 
Loudon's  Encyclopedia   of  Agriculture,    1   large   volume    8vo. 

closely  printed,  contains  upwards  of  800  engravings,         .           12  00 

Both  the  ahove  works  arc  liiglily  inten  sting,  and  contain  an  immense  maei  of  useful  informaticn. 

Prince's  New  Treatise  on  the  Vine,  .  .  .  1   60 

Hind's  Farriery,  (a  new,  valuable  work,)         .  .  .        1  00 

'I  he  New  American  Gardener;  containing  Practical  Directions  on  th«  culture 
of  Fruits  and  Vegetables  ;  including  Landscape  and  Ornamental  Gardening, 
Grapt  Vines,  Silk,  Strawberries,  &c.  Fourth  Edition.  By  Thomas  G.  Fes- 
eenden,  Editor  of  the  New  England  Farmer;  (a  most  valuable  work),  .         1  00 


AMERICAN    LIBRARY 

OF 

USEFUL     KNOWLEDGE, 

ifUBUSHED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OP  THE  ROSTON  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  DIFFUSION 
OF  USEFUL  KNOWLEDGE. 


STIMPSON    &    CLAPP, 

No.  72,  WASHINGTON  STREET,  BOSTON, 

Are  publishing  a  series  of  Volumes,  under  the  above  title,  to  consist  irt 
ftart  of  works  of  acknowledged  value,  which  have  been  already  published, 
and  in  part  of  original  works  to  be  written  for  the  purpose.  The  series 
will  consist  of  independent  works,  some  of  them  extending  to  the  compass 
of  three  or  four  volumes,  but  they  will  be  such  as,  when  taken  together^ 
will  form  a  well-assorted  Library. 

The  extent  to  which  books,  journals,  and  newspapers  have  been  multi- 
plied within  a  few  years  past,  has  done  much  to  promote  the  general  diffu- 
sion of  knowledge.  But  no  man  can  read  all  these  publications,  and  few 
can  read  enough  to  select  from  them  such  as  are  best  fitted  for  the  purposes 
of  instruction.  Many  of  them  are  designed  merely  for  amusement.  Many 
of  them  are  written  by  persons  who  are  but  imperfectly  acquainted  with 
die  subjects  of  which  they  treat — a  large  proportion  are  designed  by  their 
authors  for  the  use  of  persons,  who  are  supposed  already  to  understand 
the  general  principles  of  the  subjects  of  which  they  treat — many  are  con- 
troversial, and  advance  doctrines  in  one  volume,  which  are  controverted  fn 
another — and  many  are  costly,  and  difficult  to  be  procured  by  persons  of 
moderate  property.  In  the  midst  of  the  muhiplicity  of  books,  therefore, 
it  would  be  a  matter  of  difficulty,  for  the  man  of  the  soundest  judgment, 
and  most  conversant  with  books,  to  select  a  number  of  such  volumes  a» 
he  would  willingly  recommend  to  the  members  of  an  industrious  family, 
las  suited  to  occupy  their  leisure  hours,  and  to  afford  them  the  greatest 
amount  of  pleasure  and  instruction.  But  there  are  certain  sciences,  arts 
and  departments  of  learning,  of  which  all  men  acknowledge  the  utility. 
A  selection  may  be  made  by  judicious  and  competent  persons,  of  the 
branches  of  learning  which  are  worthy  of  being  recommended  to  the  par- 
ticular attention  of  the  most  numerous  class  of  readers  in  this  communi- 
ty, and  especially  to  the  attention  of  young  persons  who  have  acquired 
the  first  rudiments  of  education,  and  who  need  some  direction  in  the  fur- 
ther prosecution  of  their  search  after  knowledge.  Works  of  eminent  val- 
ue and  acknowledged  authority  may  be  selected,  particularly  adapted  to 
the  condition  of  the  country,  and  to  the  character  of  its  population.  It  i& 
hoped  that  the  publication  now  proposed  will  be  in  some  degree,  at  least, 
adapted  to  these  purposes.  The  Managers  of  the  Boston  Society  for  the 
diffusion  of  useful  knowledge  have  regarded  the  undertaking  as  deserving 


of  encouragement  and  patronage,  and  have  thought  that  by  co-operating 
in  the  prosecution  of  it,  they  should  essentially  promote  the  objects  of 
their  institution. 

The  proposed  Library  will  consist  of  popular  treatises  on  the  principal 
branches  of  Natural  Sciences — treatises  on  the  principal  branches  of  Nat- 
ural History — a  treatise  on  Moral  Philosophy — A  compendium  of  Uni- 
versal History — A  general  History  of  America — A  History  of  the  United 
States,  from  its  first  settlement  to  llie  adoption  of  the  present  Constitution  ; 
selected  subjects  of  Biography,  American  and  Foreign — the  Geography 
and  Statistics  of  the  United  States,  and  foreign  Countries,  and  some  other 
works  to  be  announced  as  the  publication  advances. 

The  Library  will  be  printed  in  volumes  of  about  320  pages,  large  du- 
odecimo, to  be  neatly  bound  in  cloth,  and  will  be  issued  at  intervals  of 
six  or  seven  we6ks,  making  eight  volumes  a  year.  The  price  to  single 
subscribers  is  five  dollars  per  annum,  or  62  1-2  cents  per  volume.  To  in- 
dividuals or  companies  who  subscribe  for  five  sets,  the  price  is  ^4,50 
for  each  set  per  annum,  (t?'  Five  volumes  of  the  series  have  been 
published,  and  are  now  ready  for  delivery.  Vol.  1  contains  Discourses 
on  the  advantages  of  Science,  and  motives  for  the  study  of  it.  Vol.  2, 
Lardner's  and  Kater's  Treatise  on  Mechanics,  with  plates.  Vol.  3,  The 
first  voluntie  of  a  Universal  History,  in  twenty-four  books,  translated  from 
the  German  of  John  Von  Muler.  Vol.  4,  Dr.  Lardner's  Treatise  on 
Hydrostatics  and  Pneumatics.  Vol.  5,  the  second  volume  of  Muler's 
Universal  History. 

The  price  for  each  single  volume  is  75  cents. 

In  press,  and  will  be  shortly  published  as  one  of  the  series,  a  History 
of  the  United  States,  by  Hon.  Alexander  H.  Everett. 

05^'Subscriptions  received  as  above,  and  by  the  principal  Booksellers 
in  the  United  States. 


Published  by  STIMPSON  &,  CLAPP,  72  Washington-street, 

THE   WORKING-MAN'S    COMPANION. 

The  Results  of  Machinery,  namely,  cheap  production  and  increased 
employment,  exhibited.  From  the  London  edition,  with  notes  by  an 
American  editor. 

Preface  to  the  American  Edition. 

The  immediate  object  of  this  publication  was  to  show  the  beneficial 
effects  of  machinery,  in  aid  of  the  manufacturing  arts,  on  the  condition  of 
society,  and  of  the  working-men  themselves.  In  accomplishing  this 
object,  it  describes  the  improvements  which  have  been  made  in  many  of 
the  important  branches  of  manufacture,  by  means  of  ingenious  inventions 
for  performing  the  different  processes,  in  a  manner  more  satisfactory  and 
interesting  than  will  be  found  in  any  other  publication.  It  thus  embodies 
a  large  amount  of  curious  information;  and  by  exhibiting  the  effects  of 
the  improvements  in  the  mechanic  and  other  arts,  it  shows,  in  a  most 
striking  manner,  how  much  society  has  been  improved, by  the  ingeni- 
ous application  of  the  principles  of  science  to  the  perfection  of  those  arts. 


.1